The Japanese maple has been very popular with numerous garden enthusiasts 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 intense autumn color.
What types of Japanese maple are there?
There are three main types of Japanese maple: Acer japonicum (Japanese maple), Acer palmatum (Japanese Japanese maple) and Acer shirasawanum (Golden maple). All are characterized by interesting growth, feathery foliage and spectacular autumn color.
Japanese 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 maple (Acer palmatum) and the golden maple (Acer shirasawanum). But whichever species you choose, they all stand out thanks to their interesting growth, feathery foliage and spectacular autumn color.
Recommended varieties of Japanese maple
In the table below you will find an overview of popular and new varieties of Japanese maple, where 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 location information so that you can choose the right tree.
| Variety | Art | 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 400 cm / 250 cm | grows very slowly | sunny to partially shaded |
| Autumn Glory | Acer palmatum | green, orange-red | upright | up to 400 cm | can tolerate full sun | sunny to partially shaded |
| Bloodgood | Acer palmatum | dark red | shrubby | up to 500 cm / 600 cm | Leaves are always dark red | sunny to partially shaded |
| Cristatum | Acer palmatum | green, yellow to orange-red in autumn | broadbushy | up to 200 cm / 100 cm | curled leaves | sunny |
| Englishtown | Acer palmatum | purple | shrubby | up to 100 cm / 150 cm | small, highly branched | sunny to partially shaded |
| Fairy Hair | Acer palmatum | green, orange-red | very delicate | up to 100 cm / 50 cm | very fine foliage / “fairy hair” | sunny to partially shaded |
| Nicholsonii | Acer palmatum | green, orange-red | upright | up to 300 cm | very dense branching | Sun to partial shade |
| Orangeola | Acer palmatum | Sprout and autumn color orange-red, brown-red in summer | wide-growing | up to 200 cm | hanging shoots | Sun to partial shade |
| Oridono nishiki | Acer palmatum | variegated foliage in green, white and pink, purple in autumn | slim upright | up to 300 cm | Shoots also variegated | Sun to partial shade |
| Osakazuki | Acer palmatum | deep green, bright red in autumn | broadbushy | up to 400 cm | can tolerate direct sun | sunny to partially shaded |
| Vitifolium | Acer japonicum | dark green, yellow to red in autumn | broadbushy | up to 500 cm | vine-like foliage | sunny |
Tip
Japanese maples look best as solitary trees in the garden or in pots, but can be planted very well.