The Japanese maple has been very popular with numerous gardeners for several years. After all, the attractive and easy-care tree does not need too much space - but it is a fascinating eye-catcher, especially in autumn thanks to the intensive autumn colours.
The coloring of the leaves varies depending on the species
Japanese maple or Japanese maple?
However, the Japanese maple is not the same as the Japanese maple, because three different species are hidden behind this name: the Japanese maple (Acer japonicum), the Japanese fan maple (Acer palmatum) and the golden maple (Acer shirasawanum). But whichever species you choose, they all stand out due to their interesting growth, feathery foliage and spectacular autumn colours.
Recommended varieties of Japanese maple
In the table below you will find an overview of popular and new varieties of Japanese maple, whereby we have included both Acer palmatum and Acer japonicum in the list. However, the list is of course not complete, there are around 400 to 500 different varieties of these two maples. We have also added the location information so that you can select the right tree in a targeted manner.
| variety | kind | foliage color | growth | Growth height / width | special feature | location |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Aconitifolium | Acer japonicum | green, dark red to fiery red | Shrub or short-stemmed small tree | up to 400cm / 250cm | grows very slowly | sunny to semi-shady |
| Autumn Glory | Acer palmatum | green, orange-red | upright | up to 400 cm | tolerates full sun | sunny to semi-shady |
| Bloodgood | Acer palmatum | dark red | shrubby | up to 500cm / 600cm | Leaves are always dark red | sunny to semi-shady |
| cristate | Acer palmatum | green, yellow to orange-red in autumn | broad bushy | up to 200cm / 100cm | curled leaves | sunny |
| Englishtown | Acer palmatum | purple | shrubby | up to 100cm / 150cm | small, strongly branched | sunny to semi-shady |
| Fairy Hair | Acer palmatum | green, orange-red | very tender | up to 100cm / 50cm | very fine foliage / "fairy hair" | sunny to semi-shady |
| Nicholsonii | Acer palmatum | green, orange-red | upright | up to 300 cm | very dense branching | Sun to semi-shade |
| orangeola | Acer palmatum | Shoots and autumn colors orange-red, brown-red in summer | spreading | up to 200 cm | hanging shoots | Sun to semi-shade |
| Oridono nishiki | Acer palmatum | variegated foliage of green, white and pink, turning crimson in fall | slim upright | up to 300 cm | Shoots also variegated | Sun to semi-shade |
| Osakazuki | Acer palmatum | deep green, bright red in autumn | broad bushy | up to 400 cm | tolerates direct sun | sunny to semi-shady |
| vitifolium | Acer japonicum | dark green, turning yellow to red in autumn | broad bushy | up to 500 cm | vinous foliage | sunny |
tips
Japanese maples are best used as solitaires in the garden or in a bucket, but can be planted very well.