Compact Dwarf Japanese Maples

Acer palmatum 'Fireball' is a fantastic little witches broom.  This aptly named little cultivar really packs a punch. The exciting bright red foliage of early spring lasts well into the summer even in hot climates. This tough little guy even tolerates full sun in all but the hottest climates where a break from the afternoon sun is appreciated. Fall color is red and absolutely delightful.Most literature credits David Verkade, an 8th generation horticulturalist who has discovered and named many awesome cultivars himself, with discovery of this fantastic little plant. Dave however gives credit where credit is due and will be the first to tell you that this witches broom was found by his father John Verkade in the 1980's.10 Year Size: Height:  2-3 Feet    Width:  2-4 FeetSpring Color: RedSummer Color: RedFall Color: RedSun Tolerance: FullPlanting: Elevated, Well Drained Soil

Acer palmatum ‘Jerre Schwartz’ was introduced by Billy Schwartz, owner of Green Mansions Nursery in Pennsylvaniay. He named the unique cultivar for his mother Jerre. Acer palmatum ‘Jerre Schwartz’ has interestingly sharp toothed and deeply divided small leaves emerge cherry red in early spring before quickly becoming darker and more maroon and then bronze before turning totally green for summer. New cheery colored growth in summer provides a cool contrast to the older green foliage. Found as a witches broom the center lobes of some leaves will show the characteristic shortened middle lobe. Fall color is deep red and usually quite nice for a dwarf. 10 year size: Height: 4-5 Feet   Width: 3-4 Feet  

Acer palmatum 'Kiyohime' is a Fantastic Compact Dwarf Japanese Maple Perfect for Small Landscapes, Containers, and Bonsai Acer palmatum 'Kiyohime' is a compact dwarf Japanese maple that will grow much wider than tall. For a plant that never gets much more than 2 feet tall 'Kiyohime' is relatively fast growing and will become a specimen in the garden after just a few years. The dense and lateral growth habit make 'Kiyohime' almost look like a table at maturity. The size and shape make 'Kiyohime' a perfect companion Japanese maple for different spaces in the landscape. 'Kiyohime' emerges in spring with red tips to the leaves before turning green for the majority of the spring and summer. These green leaves are very small, star shape leaves that help to expand on the compact and dense look of the overall foliage. Fall color ranges from bronze to orange. Acer palmatum 'Kiyohime' is a hardy tree that can be grown in basically any climate in the United States. 'Kiyohime' will thrive in zones 5 through 9. 'Kiyohime' can be grown in full sun in all but the hottest climates. In warmer areas 'Kiyohime' would appreciate some protection from the hot afternoon sun. 'Kiyohime' does not require a great deal of sunlight and can be grown in mostly shade in pretty much any climate. Acer palmatum 'Kiyohime' is a perfect dwarf Japanese maple for bonsai for a number of reasons. The growth habit of 'Kiyohime' may make it look like small shrub in the ground but in a bonsai pot 'Kiyohime' looks like the miniature version of a full size tree. The small leaves of 'Kiyohime' help to create this effect as well. The natural density will also contribute to this affect and will require minimal pruning and attention. What is the 10 Year Size of Acer palmatum 'Kiyohime'? Height: 2-4 feet Width: 4-6 feet What is the Spring Color of Acer palmatum 'Kiyohime'? Green What is the Summer Color of Acer palmatum 'Kiyohime'? Green What is the Fall Color of Acer palmatum 'Kiyohime'? Orange What is the Leaf Shape of Acer palmatum 'Kiyohime'? Small Broad Leaf What is the Sun Tolerance of Acer palmatum 'Kiyohime'? Partial Sun What Growing Zones are suitable for Acer palmatum 'Kiyohime'? Zones 5-9 What is the Shape of Acer palmatum 'Kiyohime'? Dwarf Japanese Maple What is the Growth Rate of Acer palmatum 'Kiyohime'? Moderate Growing Dwarf Japanese Maple How should Acer palmatum 'Kiyohime' be planted? Elevated in Well Drained Soil

‘Elizabeth’ is another great little witches broom discovered by Ed "Skeeter" Rod and named for his wife Elizabeth, this small tree should have a place in every garden. Although fast growing when young this plant slows down when older staying very compact. New growth is bright red and very vivid. Older foliage is more maroon. Color holds well into the summer even in hot climates. 10 year size: Height: 4-5 Feet   Width: 3-4 Feet  

Acer palmatum ‘Hime Shojo’ is an awesome little Japanese maple discovered in Japan before 1994 that is a really exciting addition to the U.S. market. While the new growth is a very bright almost cherry red the small deeply divided leaves soon harden off to the classic dark maroon that the Japanese refer to as shojo. This continues much of the summer, although a relatively small plant, 'Hime shojo' seems to put on bright red new growth much of the year. This dense little shrubby tree holds its color very well long into the summer and even all summer long in cooler parts of its range. Although the best colors are achieved in full sun, and it will tolerate full sun in most areas, a little shade at some part of the day is appreciated in hotter climates. Fall color is a bright cherry red and better than many small cultivars. Its small size and attractive foliage makes it a wonderful addition to any garden and even does well in containers.10 Year Size: Height:  3-5 Feet    Width:  3-6 Feet

'Kuro hime' emerges mostly pink or red in early spring turning to a nice green rather quickly in warmer climates. This little shrub that is usually about as wide as tall makes an attractive addition to any garden. 10 Year Size: Height:  3-4 Feet    Width:  3-4 Feet

Acer palmatum ‘Sekka yatsubusa’ has short internodal lengths that give this small plant a very different appearance as the leaves are bunched up along the stems. Red edges to the deeply divided leaves and red petioles add to the effect. All though very slow when young this small tree can grow quite vigorously under the right conditions. Once the tree gets a little older it begins to develop very interesting fasciations or flattened stems of congested growth. While like most maples 'Sekka yatsubusa' is happy in partial shade this adaptable cultivar does quite well in heavy shade or in full sun in all but the hottest climates. Fall color is usually red and very good, some years it can be quite stunning. 10 year size: Height: 3-5 Feet   Width: 2-4 Feet   Spring Color: Green Summer Color: Green Fall Color: Red Sun Tolerance: Partial Planting: Elevated, Well Drained Soil

The foliage of ’Adrian’s Compact’ is predominantly burgundy but is highlighted by the bright red of the new leaves. Fall color is very good for a small tree with mixtures of orange and red.    10 Year Size:  Height:  4-5 Feet   Width: 3-4 FeetSpring Color: RedSummer Color: BurgundyFall Color: RedSun Tolerance: FullPlanting: Elevated, Well Drained

Acer palmatum 'Carll's Corner' has a short center lobe that gives this small, dense red maple an interesting texture. Emerging bright red almost pink in spring the new leaves soon become a dark burgundy. The color holds well most of the summer even in warmer climates where some afternoon shade is preferred. Fall color is dark red. Slow growing, 'Carll's Corner' eventually forms nice rounded shrub. 10 year size: Height: 4-5 feet   Width: 3-4 feet  Spring Color: RedSummer Color: BurgundyFall Color: RedSun Tolerance: FullPlanting: Elevated, Well Drained Soil

Acer palmatum ‘Alpine Sunrise’ is a dwarf Japanese maple that emerges in spring with bright red foliage. This color fades somewhat in the summer before the leaves change back to a bright red in the fall. ‘Alpine Sunrise’ has a dense shrubby habit commensurate with most witches broom varieties.10 Year Size: Height: 4-6 feet Width: 4-6 feet