Acer palmatum

Common Names

Japanese Maple, Japanese Maples

Summary

A deciduous shrub or small tree native to Japan, Korea, and China, with hundreds of cultivars offering a range of forms from compact dwarf to large trees. Leaves are palmately lobed (five to nine lobes) and display striking autumn color, shifting from green to red, orange, purple, or gold. Common uses include as a specimen, border, or container plant, with some forms suited to woodland understory and other landscape settings.

Prefers partial sun to shade and moist, well-drained, acidic soil; some sun is beneficial for color, while variegated varieties may prefer shade. Hardy in USDA zones 5–9 and generally low maintenance with minimal pruning. Propagation occurs by seed, grafting, or softwood cuttings. Potential issues include aphids and scale, plus scorch and verticillium wilt; consistent moisture and mulching help, and container culture is common.

Lifecycle

Perennial

Height

15-25 feet

Spread

10-25 feet

Hardiness Zones

Zones 5-8

Sunlight Requirements

Partial shade to full sun.

Soil Type

Moist, well-drained, slightly acidic soil rich in organic matter.

Soil Drainage

Well-drained, consistently moist soil.

Soil pH

Slightly acidic to neutral.

Bloom Color

Insignificant

Bloom Time

Spring

Foliage Color

Typically green; in autumn foliage can turn red, orange, yellow, bronze, and purple.

Fall Foliage Color

Fall colors range widely by cultivar, including yellow, orange, red, purple, bronze, burgundy, gold, scarlet, and copper

Leaf Lifecycle

Deciduous

Growth Rate

Typically 1–2 feet per year, slow to moderate growth, with seedlings growing faster than named cultivars.

Seasons of Interest

Spring, Summer, Fall, and Winter.

Propagation Methods

Seeds, Cuttings (including softwood cuttings), Grafting

Attracts Wildlife

Attracts moths and small songbirds, described as attracting insect pollinators such as bees and butterflies