Japanese Maples

You’ll know these trees.  Maybe not exactly these trees but ones like them.  They grab your attention when you walk or drive past, prompting you to say to yourself, or whoever you’re with, ‘that would look nice in our garden’ as you casually nod in the direction of the tree.

Acer Red Emperor, Christchurch, October

These trees have a shape that stands out.  The branches are arranged in such a manner as to hold your gaze.  The leaves display colours that have a level of depth and intensity other trees cannot match.  Yet it’s hard to conclusively say exactly why they appeal so much.  It is the very epitome of the French saying je ne sais quoi.

Anyway, these are those trees.  We hope you like them. 

Acer palmatum ‘Viridis’ – Green Weeping Japanese Maple

A dwarf, green maple, it has a wonderful cascading form which produces this softened aesthetic for a gentle, inviting appearance.

Its Autumn show introduces shades of yellow and orange to the deeply lobed and finely serrated leaves. 

Deciduous, grows to 1 x 1m.

Key Characteristics of ‘Viridis’:

✔  Deciduous

✔  Smaller growing dwarf tree

✔  Fresh green foliage spring & summer, yellow to orange in autumn

✔  Semi-weeping foliage

Acer palmatum Viridis, 25 lt, October

Acer palmatum ‘Tamukeyama’ – Red Weeping Japanese Maple

ACER palmatum Tamukeyama, 25lt, October

A wonderful weeping maple, the cascading, lacy leaves make for a soft aesthetic, introducing some gentleness to the landscape.

The colour will last from spring to Autumn, when the purple-red is ignited to a fiery, dramatic red.

We highly recommend placing this small, deciduous tree next to a pond. It simply works.

This maple will reach 1.5 x 1.5 m.

Key Characteristics of ‘Tamukeyama’:

✔  Deciduous

✔  Smaller growing dwarf tree

✔  Vibrant red foliage spring & autumn, burgandy over summer

Acer palmatum ‘Bloodgood’ – Red Japanese Maple

Acer Bloodgood, Arrowtown, February

Driveway plantings of Acer ‘Bloodgood’ in Arrowtown.

The slender pointed palmate leaf structure creates a delicate looking aesthetic that is actually anything but.

This smaller Japanese Maple’s leaves reach a depth of purple few trees can achieve before moving onto a bright and vibrant red in Autumn.

A smaller tree welcome in any garden, it will grow to 4m and do a good job of resisting the cold.

Key Characteristics of ‘Bloodgood’:

✔  Deciduous

✔  Medium growing dwarf tree

✔  Vibrant red foliage spring & autumn, burgandy over summer

Acer Bloodgood, 35lt, December

Acer palmatum ‘Osakazuki’ – Green Japanese Maple

Acer palmatum Osakazuki, 35lt, October

The large 7 lobed leaves hold the key to the appeal of the Osakazuki. The bronze-green colour during summer is interesting on its own.

But then, come Autumn, the leaves turn to the most striking scarlet colour of any maple. It’s intense and utterly captivating. Such a show deserves a place as a feature or specimen plant.

Deciduous, growing to 3 x 3m.

Key Characteristics of ‘Osakazuki’:

✔  Deciduous

✔  Medium growing dwarf tree

✔  Bronze-green foliage spring & summer, red in autumn

✔  Best Japanese Maple for autumn colour

Acer palmatum Osakazuki, 35lt, October
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