Japanese Maple List Fall 2023

Japanese maples (Acer palmatum) and their relatives offer a large group of plants that can
be adapted to almost any garden style and situation. In fact, a wonderful garden could be
constructed entirely around a collection of maples. Height, habit, leaf form, seasonal color
and interesting bark vary widely among the numerous cultivars. This offers opportunities for
interplay with other plants.

Maples flourish in humus-rich, well-drained soil. While they are reasonably drought tolerant
once established, supplemental water during summer dry spells results in stronger growth
and a generally healthier tree. Fertilize in early spring with a balanced fertilizer such as Dr.
Earth All Purpose fertilizer. Maples can be pruned judiciously, with an eye to enhancing a
plant’s overall shape and natural beauty. If possible, avoid gardening underneath a Japanese
maple – damage to the roots can be an entry point for a maple’s greatest foe – the soil-borne
fungus called verticillium wilt.

In general, Japanese maples are medium-growing, vase-like trees that grow to 15 to 20 feet
tall and 12 to 15 feet wide in about ten years. Over time, they can get much larger. They are
adaptable to sun or part shade and are generally hardy to -10°F. Fall color is usually striking
and can be shades of yellow, orange or red.

Many varieties with pale or variegated leaves need afternoon shade or filtered light to keep
the leaves from burning. Most Japanese maples do well in containers; however, bear in mind
that plants in containers are more vulnerable than plants in the ground to temperature
extremes and drought.

Many Japanese maples offer spectacular fall foliage color and/or colored bark through the
winter. In early fall, Sky Nursery gets in fresh stock of varieties noted for their fall and winter
interest. Below is a list of varieties we plan to offer this fall. As always, please call or email to
check availability and prices.

The following list gives more information on specific cultivars. We first list our Acer
palmatum cultivars by approximate size: laceleaf varieties, dwarf varieties, small trees, and
medium trees. After that we list cultivars of Acer japonicum and A. shirasawanum.

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 Japanese Maple List Fall

ACER PALMATUM DISSECTUM (LACELEAF) VARIETIES

‘Baldsmith’ Height 5-6 feet; width 5-8 feet. Sun or part shade. Apricot-salmon new growth
turns to green flushed with pink. Very beautiful red-orange fall color.

‘Crimson Queen’ Height 3-6 feet; width 5-6 feet. Sun or part shade. Dark red leaves all
summer—bright scarlet in fall. Most popular laceleaf variety.

‘Inaba shidare’ Height 4-6 feet; width 5-8 feet. Sun or part shade. Hardy to 0°F. One of the
darkest purple-red laceleafs—holds color all summer. Brilliant crimson in fall.

‘Orangeola’ Height 3-5 feet; width 4-6 feet. Sun or part shade. Red color fades a bit in
summer, and then turns brilliant orange-red in fall.

‘Red Dragon’ Height and width 3-4 feet. Sun or part shade. Deepest red laceleaf maple—hold
color well. Scarlet fall color.

‘Seiryu’ One of the few laceleaf Japanese maples with an upright habit. Slow-growing, vase-
shaped tree. Height 12-15 feet; width 6-10 feet. Sun or part shade. Green foliage has a delicate
and graceful effect. Light-gold fall color.

‘Spring Delight’ Height 4-6 feet; width 5-7 feet. Pale green leaves have purple tips. Fall color
gold-orange.

‘Tamukeyama’ (BOLDRED LACELEAF MAPLE) Height and width 5-6 feet. Sun or part shade.
Hardy to 0°F. Very dark purple-red foliage holds color well. Bright scarlet fall color.

‘Viridis’ (GREEN LACELEAF MAPLE) Height 2-6 feet; width 3-6 feet. Sun or part shade.
Intense light green color all summer. Yellow and orange in fall.

‘Waterfall’ Height 6-8 feet; width 8-10 feet. Sun or part shade. Green foliage, darker than
‘Viridis.’ Gold streaked with red-orange in fall.

ACER PALMATUM SHRUBBY & DWARF VARIETIES (UNDER 8 FEET)

‘Beni Gasa’ Slow-growing, bushy tree. Height 5-6 feet; width 4-5 feet. Horizontal branching
variety—leaves red over green. Red, yellow, and orange fall color. Great bonsai subject.

‘Bihou’ Slow-growing, upright tree. Height 7-8 feet; width 3-4 feet. Sun or part shade. Tiny
foliage is yellow green; bright golden-yellow fall color. Twigs and branches have vivid coral to
yellow bark in winter.

‘Corvallis Broom’ Slow-growing, tight, multi-stemmed tree. Height 4-5 feet; width 3-4 feet.
Witch’s broom of ‘Sango Kako’—striking coral bark in winter. Sun or part shade, but bark
color is better if grown in full sun. Light green leaf turning yellow in fall. Excellent bonsai.

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 Japanese Maple List Fall

‘Fukinagashi’ Slow-growing, vase-like tree. Height 7-8 feet; width 5-6 feet. Narrow leaves are
green with a flush of apricot secondary growth. Brilliant red fall color. Purplish bark contrasts
with foliage, provides winter interest.

‘Katsura hime’ Slow-growing, rounded tree. Height 6-8 feet; width 4-6 feet. Hardy to 0°F.
Yellow-orange new growth turns green in summer, orange and yellow in fall.

‘Koto maru’ Slow-growing, dense, upright shrub. Height 4-6 feet. Tiny foliage emerges lime-
green edged with red, turns deeper green in summer. Orange-red fall color.

‘Koto no ito’ Slow-growing, upright tree. Height 6-8 feet; width 4-5 feet. Sun or part shade.
Hardy to 0°F. Narrow green leaves turn shades of yellow in fall.

‘Kurenai jishi’ Slow-growing, mounding tree. Height 4-5 feet; width 3-4 feet. Very dense and
compact. Curling leaves overlay each other like shingles on a roof. Bright red in spring, green
in summer, red again in fall. Contrasting bark is bright green. Excellent bonsai subject.

‘Little Sango’ Height 5 feet, width 3 feet. Very compact, upright dwarf Coral Bark type with
dense branching. Light green foliage turns orange and yellow in fall. Winter bark is vivid red.

‘Mikawa yatsubusa’ (MIKAWA DWARF JAPANESE MAPLE) Slow-growing, mounding tree.

Height 4-5 feet; width 3-4 feet. Very dense and compact. Light green leaves overlay each
other like shingles on a roof. Wonderful bonsai subject. Fall color shades of red, orange, or
yellow, depending on sun.

‘Nishiki gawa’ (DWARF PINE BARK JAPANESE MAPLE) Medium-growing vase-like tree.
Height 5-6 feet; width 5-6 feet. Likes sun. Hardy to 0°F. Corky, warty bark appears as plant
ages. Green foliage. Good fall color.

‘O Jishi’ (COMPACT LION JAPANESE MAPLE) Slow-growing, vase like tree. Height 4-6 feet.
Uncommon variety; crinkled foliage similar to ‘Shishigashira’. Orange fall color.

‘Pung Kil’ Slow-growing, upright tree. Height 7-8 feet; width 3-4 feet. Hardy to -20°F. Purple-
red leaves have long slender lobes. Color holds well through. Brilliant red in fall.

‘Ryusen’ AKA ‘Ryusei’ Height 4-6 feet, depending on staking; width 3-4 feet. Unique,
extremely cascading form. Can be trained to a desired height, or allowed to weep over a wall
or deck, where it can trail up to 20 feet. Likes sun. Bright green foliage in summer.
Spectacular fall color—bright red over golden-orange base.

‘Shin deshojo’ Slow-growing, spreading tree. Height 4-6 feet; width 4-6 feet. Flaming scarlet
new foliage turns reddish green in summer. Red and orange fall color. Good bonsai subject.

‘Shishigashira’ Immediately recognizable due to its tight habit and crinkled foliage. Slow-
growing, upright tree. Height 4-6 feet; width 2-3 feet. Sun or part shade. Hardy to 0°F. Bright
green leaves turn orange in fall. Among the very last Japanese maples to change colors and
drop its leaves. Good patio tree or bonsai.

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 Japanese Maple List Fall

ACER PALMATUM SMALL VARIETIES (8-15 FEET)

‘Ariadne’ Slow-growing, vase-like tree. Height 8-10 feet; width 8-10 feet. Leaves open soft
peachy red with a marbled background, mature into red veins on purple-red background.
Fall color is peachy orange with dark-pink to red margins.

‘Beni Maiko’ (RED DANCER JAPANESE MAPLE) Slow-growing, upright tree. Height 8-12 feet;
width 4-5 feet. Sun or part shade. Brilliant, bushy small tree. New leaves fiery scarlet, turning
pinkish red, then green with red veins. Luminous pinkish-red fall color.

‘Beni Schichihenge’ (ORANGE PASTEL JAPANESE MAPLE) Slow-growing, upright tree.

Height 10-18 feet; width 8-15 feet. Likes sun or part shade. Hardy to -10°F. Green leaves are
edged with a white margin, overlaid with pink and orange tones. Good fall color. Does well in
containers.

‘Bonfire’ Slow-growing, upright tree. Height 10-12 feet; width 6-7 feet. Hardy to -10°F. Crimson
new growth turning green in summer. Showy flame-red fall color.

‘Emperor I’ (AKA ‘Red Emperor’) Medium-growing, open, airy tree. Height 12-15 feet; width 8-
12 feet. Likes sun to part shade. Hardy to -20°F. Similar to ‘Bloodgood’ but holds its red foliage
color better into late summer. Crimson in fall.

‘Fireglow’ Slow-growing, vase-like tree. Height 12-15 feet; width 10-12 feet. Sun or part shade.
Scarlet new foliage turns to dark wine-red for the summer; leaves hold color well. Crimson
and red fall color.

‘Japanese Sunrise’ Medium-growing, upright tree. Height 12-14 feet; width 8-12 feet. Sun or
part shade. Showy red to yellow stems and bark. In general, ‘Japanese Sunrise’s’ bark is a
truer coral than ‘Sango kaku’s’. Green foliage in summer; butterscotch yellow fall color. Fall
color is best when tree is grown in full sun.

‘Katsura’ Slow-growing, rounded tree. Height and width 10 feet. Sun or part shade. Hardy to
0°F. Fantastic soft yellow and orange new growth turns green in summer, yellow and orange
edged red in fall. Does well in containers.

‘Kurui jishi’ Slow-growing upright tree. Height 8-10 feet; width 4-6 feet. Hardy to 0°F. Deep
green star-shaped leaves turn yellow in fall. Edges of leaves curl upwards.

‘Orange Dream’ Vigorous-growing, upright tree. Height 12-15 feet—spread 8-10 feet. Sun or
part shade. Bright orange new growth turns lemon-yellow tipped with red. Slowly turns to
yellow green in summer, then bright yellow-gold in fall.

‘Osakazuki no akame’ (DWARF FLAME-LEAF JAPANESE MAPLE) Medium-growing upright

tree. Height 12-20 feet; width 10-20 feet. Sun or part shade. Rich green in spring and
summer—intense crimson fall color. More compact form of ‘Osakazuki’.

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 Japanese Maple List Fall

‘Purple Ghost’ Medium-growing tree. Height 10-12 feet. Sun or part shade. Purple leaves with
black veins. Fall color is fiery scarlet and orange.

‘Sagara Nishiki’ (GOLD LINE JAPANESE MAPLE) Slow growing rounded tree. Height 6-9
feet—width 5-8 feet. Likes part shade. Hardy to 0°F. Very unusual large leaves—green with
yellow dots around the margin and pinkish overlay. Burns in direct sunlight. Good fall color.

‘Suminagashi’ Medium-growing vase-like tree. Height 8-10 feet; width 3-5 feet. Sun or part
shade. Hardy to 0°F. Bright purple-red in spring, becoming very deep maroon, then crimson
in fall. Small red flowers followed by red samaras (keys).

‘Tobiosho’ (ISELI’S RED JAPANESE MAPLE) Medium growing upright tree. Height 12-15
feet—width 6-8 feet. Dense foliage canopy—spectacular fall display. Green foliage turns gold,
orange, and red in turn, ending vivid scarlet. Fall color best when tree is grown in full sun.

‘Twombly’s Red Sentinel’ Medium-growing columnar tree. Height 8-14 feet—spread 6-10
feet. Sun or part shade. Hardy to 0°F. Deep red leaves; bright red fall color.

‘Ukigumo’ (FLOATING CLOUD JAPANESE MAPLE) Slow-growing, upright tree. Height 8-12
feet; width 4-6 feet. Beautiful landscape specimen—foliage is pastel green touched with pink
and white. Variegation varies from year to year; plant tends to be paler in shade. Fall color is
apricot to gold. Does well in containers. Protect from hot sun to prevent sunburn.

ACER PALMATUM MEDIUM VARIETIES (15+ FEET)

‘Beni kawa’ (RED BARK JAPANESE MAPLE) Medium-growing rounded tree. Height 15-20
feet; width 12-15 feet. Likes sun. Green leaves in summer; yellow fall color. Winter bark is purer
red than Coral bark Maple—colors at a younger age. Does well in containers.

‘Bloodgood’ Medium-growing, vase-like tree. Height 15-20 feet; width 15-18 feet. Bright red
samaras (keys). Excellent dark-red leaf color all summer. Good fall color, usually crimson. Very
popular cultivar.

‘Osakazuki’ (FLAME-LEAF JAPANESE MAPLE) Fast growing upright tree. Height 15-25 feet;
width 10-20 feet. Rich green in spring and summer—intense crimson fall color. The best for
autumn display! Does well in containers.

‘Sango kaku’ (CORAL BARK JAPANESE MAPLE) Medium-growing, vase-like tree. Height 15-
20 feet; width 8-12 feet. Sun or part shade (although bark color is better in sun). Light green
leaf turning gold with light red in fall. Coral bark is striking in winter (bark color fades as tree
ages). Does well in containers.

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 Japanese Maple List Fall

OTHER JAPANESE MAPLE SPECIES

Acer japonicum ‘Aconitifolium’ (FERNLEAF FULL MOON MAPLE) Slow-growing, rounded
tree. Height and width 10-12 feet. Sun or part shade. Prominent white and maroon flower in
spring. Deeply cut leaves. Excellent scarlet fall color. Does well in containers.

A. japonicum ‘Emmett’s Pumpkin’ Slow-growing, rounded shrub/tree. Height 6 feet, width

4 feet. Tangerine new foliage turns green blushed red; pumpkin orange fall color.

A. japonicum ‘Indian Summer’ Height 8-10 feet. Very large palmate leaves are dark green.
Pink-flushed new growth; fall color is bright yellow overlaid with reds and oranges.

Acer japonicum ‘Otaki’ Slow-growing, rounded tree. Height and width 15-20 feet. Sun or part
shade. Hardy to -10°F. Rich green foliage—almost blue green in shade. Good fall color—
crimson, gold and orange.

A. japonicum ‘Vitifolium’ (GRAPE-LEAF JAPANESE MAPLE) Medium-growing rounded tree.

Height and width 15-20 feet. Likes partial shade. Large rich green leaves. Good fall color- gold
and scarlet. Does well in containers. Likes afternoon shade.

Acer shirasawanum ‘Aureum’ (GOLDEN FULL MOON MAPLE) Medium-growing rounded

tree. Height 15-20 feet; width 12-15 feet. Part shade. Yellow leaves all summer. Fall colors are
orange through red, sometimes purple. Does well in containers. Protect from hot sun.

A. shirasawanum ‘Autumn Moon’ Medium-growing rounded tree. Height 8-10 feet; width 6-
8 feet. Sun or part shade. Yellow leaves flush rose in the summer, turning peachy orange in
fall. Protect from hot sun.

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