There are many varieties of Japanese maples to choose from, from compact species perfect for pots to tall, architectural specimens that provide mottled shade. They are best known for their beautiful foliage color of purple, yellow, lilac, or green from spring through fall.
These trees naturally lend themselves to Japanese-inspired garden designs, but they complement many other backyard styles as well. And growing Japanese maples isn’t as difficult as you might expect, provided they are planted in the right spot and given enough water during the summer.
With so many stunning strains, it can be difficult to choose one to grow on your plot. This guide picks ten of the best to help you narrow down your choices.
Acer palmatum ‘Little Princess’
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10 species of Japanese maples that make a fabulous outdoor focal point
Graham has extensive knowledge of all aspects of horticulture – Acers included. Trained at the renowned Royal Botanic Gardens in Kew, UK, he has since written over 20 books on plants and gardening, served as a judge at the Chelsea Flower Show and has written for many gardening magazines and websites. He gardened in Pennsylvania for 20 years but has recently returned to England.
Whichever strain you choose, Acer certainly know how to put on a show. “Japanese maples can sport rich purple or crimson foliage throughout the summer,” says Graham Rice, a gardening expert. “The clusters of small flowers are often attractive, as are the developing summer fruits, each with two distinctive wings.
“Also their bark is sometimes an attractive feature and may be handsomely striped vertically or rolled back horizontally in papery, pale brown curls.”
Don’t just think about the aesthetics, but also the eventual height and width of your Acer – this way you can be sure that it will fit well in your outdoor space. It’s also important to choose one that’s appropriate for your hardiness zone to ensure it thrives.
1. Acer palmatum ‘Bloodgood’
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- Height: 15-20ft
- Spread: 15-20ft
- Resilience: USDA 5-8
Acer palmatum ‘Bloodgood’, available from Nature Hills (opens in new tab), is one of the most popular Japanese maples available. It has deep purple leaves that turn bright red in fall, making it one of the best trees for fall color. “With such spectacular foliage, ‘Bloodgood’ is one of my favorite strains,” says Tammy Sons, owner of TN Nursery (opens in new tab).
In spring, the tree displays small purple flowers, which are replaced by red fruits in summer. Plant these trees somewhere in partial shade for best results.
2. Acer palmatum ‘Kaiser 1’
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- Height: 15ft
- Spread: 15ft
- Resilience: USDA 5-8
“Emperor 1 is an upright red Japanese maple that takes all of the things that people love about ‘bloodgood’ maple and improves on them,” says Lisa Tadewaldt, arborist and owner of Urban Forest Pro (opens in new tab).
Its stunning red fall leaves are not only more tolerant of early spring frosts, but also last longer than other Japanese maple cultivars.
“Its vibrant – and distinctive – red color turns from blackish red to scarlet in the fall, and it also has a dark and distinctive blackish red rind,” adds Lisa. “They’re just really aesthetically pleasing trees and robust at the same time. Perfect for adding a touch of color to your landscape.’
3. Acer palmatum ‘Sango-kaku’
(Credit: Clare Gainey / Alamy Stock Photo)
- Height: 20-25ft
- Spread: 15-20ft
- Resilience: USDA 5-9
“For a small garden tree, consider Acer palmatum ‘Sango-kaku’ with coral pink bark and golden fall color,” says Graham Rice.
Blythe Yost, CEO of online landscape design company Tilly (opens in new tab), says it’s one of her favorites. “It’s beautiful in the spring and summer, but the bark really shines in the winter months when the landscape turns shades of brown and gray. It’s especially beautiful when it’s contrasted against the snow.’
“A lot of us associate fall with deciduous trees changing all kinds of colors, but having that red bark as a base is really special,” adds Lisa. ‘The “Coral Bark” [as it’s also known] is really great for gardens that lack color and interest in winter as the bark pops out alive even when the leaves fall.’
It is available from Nature Hills (opens in new tab).
4. Acer palmatum var. Dissectum ‘Velvet Viking’
(Image credit: Pahl’s Market)
- Height: 3-4ft
- Spread: 4-5ft
- Resilience: USDA 4-9
According to Tammy Sons, this is one of the hardest varieties of Japanese maples out there. “It has delicate, thinly shaped leaves and purple foliage in spring and summer, with much deeper purple hues in fall.”
‘Velvet Viking’ thrives in partial shade but will tolerate full sun in cooler, milder climates.
Being a dwarf variety, it is a fantastic tree to grow in a container.
5. Acer shirasawanum ‘Moonrise’
(Credit: Tim Gainey / Alamy Stock Photo)
- Height: 6.5 feet
- Spread: 6.5 feet
- Resilience: USDA 5-8
Developed in Oregon in the 1980s, this Acer has a round, compact shape and colorful foliage throughout the seasons. The leaves are initially red with green veins, then turn green for summer, alongside winged red fruits. In autumn they turn again into fiery shades of orange and gold.
It is a hardy and resilient plant, but appreciates protection from cold winds and midday sun to prevent leaf burning.
It is relatively compact and would make a lovely tree for a front yard.
6. Acer palmatum ‘Ukigumo’
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- Height: 10 ft
- Spread: 10 ft
- Resilience: USDA 5-9
‘Ukigumo’ – or ‘Floating Clouds’ – is an upright and semi-dense Japanese maple tree, but its standout feature is its stunningly variegated foliage.
“Each leaf fades from high-contrast light green/white to softer pinks at the tips,” says Lisa. “The white foliage is definitely a statement for your home’s traditionally green landscape. These are small trees that can be used throughout the summer for a touch of pink/white.’
‘Ukigumo’ will grow in most soil types, ideally in partial shade.
7. Acer palmatum ‘Shaina’
(Credit: mike jarman / Alamy Stock Photo)
- Height: 4-6ft
- Spread: 3-4ft
- Resilience: USDA 5-9
“Shania,” a fantastic Japanese dwarf maple tree, may be compact in shape, but it offers dense foliage when fully mature,” says Tammy Sons.
The tree has bright red leaves in spring that deepen to burgundy in summer before turning bright red again in fall.
“Shania” grows well in partial shade,” adds Tammy. It is an ideal tree for a small garden.
8. Acer palmatum ‘Higasayama’
(Credit: Joe / Alamy Stock Photo)
- Height: 15-20ft
- Spread: 12-15ft
- Resilience: USDA 5-8
“The Higasayama Japanese maple tree has such beautiful coloring,” says Emilly Barbosa Fernandes, allotment gardening expert at House Grail (opens in new tab). “When the leaves open, you see pink outer edges before they turn green.”
The tree also features uniquely shaped buds and is an upright, vigorous strain.
“She grows best in filtered light, although she tolerates full sun,” adds Emilly.
9. Acer palmatum ‘Red Dragon’
(Credit: Gina Kelly / Alamy Stock Photo)
- Height: 8-10ft
- Spread: 10-12ft
- Resilience: USDA 5-8
“Red Dragon grows slower than most Japanese maples, making it the perfect maple for containers,” says Tammy. “Its leaves start purple in spring and turn blood red in fall.”
It thrives in both full sun and partial shade. You can buy it at Fast Growing Trees (opens in new tab).
10. Acer palmatum ‘Crimson Queen’
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- Height: 8ft
- Spread: 10 foot
- Resilience: USDA 5-9
“A lot of people looking for a Japanese maple want a weeping variety. While I would caution people that these strains are high maintenance, the best all-around strain for this form is the “Crimson Queen,” says Lisa. “They are known for their delicate shape, distinctive lace leaf, and intense red color.”
It is available from Nature Hills (opens in new tab). Plant this variety in full sun or partial shade.
What are the best Japanese maple varieties for small gardens?
In addition to the above-listed Velvet Viking, Moonrise, and Shaina, try Little Princess. It has attractive green leaves with red hues that then turn golden yellow in fall and reaches a height of just 59 inches. It is a beautiful choice for the container garden.
For something taller but with a compact, upright habit, Graham Rice recommends the green and spiky ‘Seiryu’, which turns yellow in autumn. It would be a good focal point for a courtyard garden.