Japanese Red Maple, also sometimes called “Red Leaf Japanese Maple,” is one of the most sought-after landscaping and bonsai trees in the world. It is just one of hundreds of cultivars of Acer palmatum, but it is arguably one of the most flamboyant and desirable — with eye-popping foliage colors delighting differently in each season and a wonderful, organized, umbrella-like form. Despite its extravagant, almost constant, color show, this wonderful tree retains that certain staid dignity and formality so typical of Japanese gardens and Japanese Maples — never garish, never inelegant.
A small-to-medium sized deciduous tree (usually about 25 feet or less at maturity) with a singular trunk or multiple silver-clad stems, Japanese Red Maple offers not only a wonderful foliar display, but a number of other qualities that make it an object of obsession for many gardeners: (1) a pleasing size and shapely hemispheric or globe-like symmetry that occurs naturally without pruning; (2) those lovely star-shaped, deeply lobed serrated leaves for which Japanese Maples are famous; (3) an elegantly-organized branching pattern that gives the foliage a unique draped or layered appearance; and, finally (4), carefree growing and a facile adaptability to diverse circumstances, from bonsai and patio containers to shady gardens to wide open front lawns. Still, with Acer palmatum 'Atropurpureum', the real star of the show is undoubtedly color — an amazing, constantly evolving palate of show-stopping color in every season.
“Atropurpureum” means dark purple, but this tree is not dark purple all the time. Leaves emerge in spring almost glowing in vivid scarlet. Gradually, they darken into a deep, florid purple, then, as the season draws on, they modulate to a brooding wine burgundy before moving into gilded purplish bronze during the heat of summer. Their final move in Autumn is to put on a display of one of the most brilliant reds in the natural world.
In Japan, Acer palmatum 'Atropurpureum' has been cherished for centuries. In the West, it’s been imported and cultivated widely since about the mid-1800s. Like most Japanese Maples, Acer palmatum 'Atropurpureum' is a moderate grower which succeeds almost effortlessly in partial shade or filtered sunlight locations with well-drained, moist soils. This species is cold hardy to -20°F and also performs well in high temperature locations, so long as shade and ample moisture are provided. Virtually carefree once established in most temperate climates.
Acer palmatum 'Atropurpureum' is a ruby jewel of a tree — a vibrant visual highlight in any setting, and just plain stop-you-in-your-tracks spectacular when planted in groupings.
About Jonsteen's Seedlings
All of our trees are seed-grown at our nursery on California's Redwood Coast, which is inspected monthly and licensed by the California Department of Agriculture. Trees can provide a natural barrier against high winds, temperatures, noise pollution and soil erosion, all while benefiting local air quality, wildlife and property values — a Jonsteen seedling will only grow in value and beauty!
About Jonsteen's 100% Guarantee
All of our trees are guaranteed to arrive healthy and in good condition. If your tree perishes despite your honest efforts, we will be happy to replace it with a small-sized seedling for just the cost of shipping/handling. You can learn more about our guarantee and tree replacement policy here.
Seedling Size Chart: Medium
Due to the dynamic nature of actively growing trees, as well as the tremendous variation between species’ growth rates, we rely on the cubic volume of a seedling’s root mass to determine its “size” (Small / Medium / Large / XL). Within each size there is minor variance — the dimensions provided here represent the category minimum. If exact measurements are essential, please contact us about current stock.
All I have to say is that she is right and that I have received my Japanese maple and it’s beautiful and full!
S
Shaqeasta garfeild
10 out of 10
This is one of the best tree websites they are very trustworthy and they have the best range of trees and prices to fit all of the need of people I would highly recommend you buy from the website because you won’t be disappointed!
L
Lee
My maple arrived healthy and gorgeous.
W
William
Nice tall Japanese red maple and already sprouting leaves. Thank you
M
Mukundan Govindan
Healthy plants shipped with care/instructions
I always buy from here and recommend them. Plants are good quality and if they fail they usually give some help on replacement. This time I got a total of 8 saplings. I will be transplanting them into the ground soon. I don't have green thumb and failed to grow from seeds or cuttings. I hope to have better luck this time in norcal weather and heat.
