Japanese Maple Plant List

Native to Japan, these maples have been developed and selected for superior traits since the 1600’s. Over the years, the Japanese have shared their wealth of knowledge with plant enthusiasts worldwide who also appreciate the beauty, diversity and functionality of this remarkable group of plants. Here, the term “Japanese maple” describes cultivated varieties of Acer palmatum, Acer japonicum and Acer shirasawanum.

Japanese Maple A. palmatum

Laceleaf Japanese Maple A. palmatum var. dissectum

Fullmoon Japanese Maple A. japonicum A. shirasawanum

 The ideal exposure for Japanese maples is morning sun and afternoon shade, although filtered sun or part sun locations also work. The stunning seasonal leaf colors Japanese maples are so well-known for are best achieved in full sun, but leaves may burn or discolor when exposed to hot afternoon sun. Heavy shade tends to diminish the leaf colors. To help minimize winter injury areas sheltered from winter winds are best. Japanese maples are adaptable to different soils if they are not compacted or waterlogged. Amend compacted soil with coarse organic matter and maintain a 2-3” layer of mulch over the root zone. Keep roots evenly moist with a uniform supply of moisture. *Sizes are 10-year average.

JAPANESE MAPLE

Name	Form	HxW	Description
Bloodgood	Vase Shaped	15’x12’	The ever-popular standard bearer of red leaf Japanese maples. Burgundy red leaves turn shades of scarlet and orange in fall.
Crimson Prince	Vase Shaped	15’x12’	Similar attributes to Bloodgood with slightly darker leaves.
Emperor I	Vase Shaped	15’x12’	Similar to Bloodgood but leafs out a little later, thus reducing the risk of leaf injury from late spring frosts.
Katsura	Rounded	8’x8’	Small leaves open brilliant yellow-orange, turning green in summer. Soft orange and yellow colors return in fall. Excellent specimen for small gardens.
Koto-no-ito	Rounded	8’x8’	Koto no ito means ‘harp strings’, a reference to the string-like (linearlobum) foliage. Spring leaves are tinged red, turning green in summer then golden yellow in fall. Eye-catching bright green bark. Ideal for smaller gardens.
Oshio Beni	Broad Upright	15’x12’	Leaves emerge bright orange-red, softening to reddish green in summer. In fall leaves turn brick red, then bright scarlet.
Pixie	Rounded	6’x6’	Dwarf version of typical red Japanese maple grows just 1⁄2 the size! Leaves emerge bright crimson, deepening to burgundy in summer then scarlet in fall.
Red Pygmy	Broad Upright	6’x4’	Distinctive, narrow leaves emerge maroon in spring then gradually fade to green tones over the summer. Slow growing and compact form.
Red Sentinel	Columnar	6’x3’	Compact, narrow form with deep maroon foliage that holds its rich color well, even during the hot summer months. Fall color is bright crimson red. A unique choice for a skinny, colorful accent in rock gardens or tight spaces.
Sango Kaku	Upright	12’x8’	Coral Bark maple. Young branches and twigs are a striking salmon coral color in winter, turning yellowish red in summer. Green leaves turn golden yellow in fall.
Shaina	Rounded	6’x6’	Densely tufted spring foliage emerges wine red turning bright red in fall. Slow growing, compact form is ideal for smaller gardens.
Shirazz	Vase Shaped	10’x6’	Leaves are a striking, complex blend of pink and green with creamy white margins turning crimson in fall. Form is upright, the branches arching gracefully with age. Protect from hot sun.
Shishigashira	Rounded	8’x8’	Lion’s Head maple. Short, stout branches with dark green, densely tufted leaves turning shades of gold and red in fall. Compact and slow growing. Ideal for smaller gardens and bonsai.
Tobiosho	Broad Upright	15’x10’	Dense green-leaved maple with fall color in a glorious and changing array of gold to orange to scarlet, sometimes all colors showing at once!
Villa Taranto	Mounded	8’x8’	Fine-textured, deeply lobed leaves emerge reddish purple in spring, maturing to green with red overtones in summer, then golden orange in fall.

LACELEAF/CUTLEAF JAPANESE MAPLE

Name	Form	HxW	Description
Crimson Queen	Mounded	8’x10’	The persistence of good, deep purple-red leaf color distinguishes this variety from other laceleafs. The leaves turn various shades of red in fall.
Garnet	Mounded	6’x8’	The somewhat coarse, dark gemstone red leaves develop best color in sun, becoming purple green in shade. Fall color is bright red.
Green Cutleaf	Mounded	8’x8’	Finely dissected bright green leaves maintain their fresh color all summer until turning burnt golden orange in fall.
Inaba shidare	Mounded	10’x8’	Deep purple-red leaves are large for a laceleaf type, turning crimson in fall. Cascading branches create a graceful form.
Orangeola	Mounded	8’x8’	Bright orange-red new growth matures to reddish green in summer, then orange-red in the fall. Pendulous branches create a graceful mounding form.
Pink Lace	Mounded	6’x6’	Finely cut leaves held on weeping branches emerge tinted pink before turning green in summer and then orange-gold in fall.
Red Dragon	Mounded	5’x5’	Finely dissected leaves are a non-fading purple, even when growing in shade. Flaming scarlet fall color. Graceful cascading form.
Tamuke yama	Mounded	7’x10’	A vigorous grower with coarser foliage than other selections. Scorch-resistant burgundy foliage. Long cascading branches make this an ideal specimen.
Waterfall	Mounded	8’x8’	Bright green leaves are slightly larger than Green Cutleaf’s with a longer, more flowing appearance as they spill down outer branches of mature plants. Fall color is gold and red.

FULLMOON JAPANESE MAPLE

Name	Form	HxW	Description
Attaryi	Rounded	8’x8’	Pendulous, purple-red spring flowers persist along with the maturing leaves. Deeply cleft, large round leaves are larger than Fullmoon’s. Fall color is a blazing blend of scarlet, orange and red.
Fullmoon	Rounded	10’x10’	Deeply cut dark green leaves turn green, yellow, orange and red in fall.
Gold Fullmoon	Rounded	10’x10’	Distinctly lobed leaves are golden yellow in summer turning orange in fall.
Green Cascade	Mounded	10’x10’	Dark green leaves are deeply cut, almost to the leaf base, creating a fine-textured look. Orange-red fall color. Graceful, weeping and cascading habit.
Microphyllum	Rounded	6’x6’	Microphyllum means “small leaf” which is a distinguishing feature of this variety. Green leaves are much smaller than other Fullmoon’s and have a different shape, too. Fall color is a changeable mix of yellow, orange and red.

*The sizes listed are based on a 10-year average in northeast Illinois growing conditions