Compact Dwarf Japanese Maples

Acer palmatum ‘Kurenai Jishi’ is often referred to as the red lion’s head maple. ‘Kurenai jishi’ leafs out bright red in the spring with some of the most unique foliage you will ever see on a Japanese maple. The leaves are curled up, crinkled, and close to the branch similar to ‘Shishigashira’. The foliage on ‘Kurenai jishi’ turns from bright red to burgundy to green from spring to summer. The leaves then turn orange-red in fall. ‘Kurenai jishi’ is a dwarf Japanese maple that will only reach about 4 feet tall at maturity. 10 Year Size: Height: 3-5 feet Width: 1-3 feet

Acer palmatum ‘Miss Piggy’ is One of the Most Unusual Dwarf Japanese Maples that we Grow at Maple Ridge Nursery Acer palmatum ‘Miss Piggy’ is a dwarf tree with sturdy branching and bunched up leaves that are caused by fasciations at the tips of the branches. This means that the branches have actually fused together. These fasciations are more commonly seen in conifers and are extremely rare in Japanese maples. The leaves can sometimes grow so close together that they completely encircle the branches. When this occurs, you can look straight down the branch and see a perfect ring of leaves that almost make it look like an eye. 'Miss Piggy' doesn't get very big, maturing to only about 5 or 6 feet tall, but it is a fast grower especially for a dwarf Japanese maple. ‘Miss Piggy’ has small palmate leaves that are light green in the spring and darken just a bit in the summer. In the fall the leaves turn an attractive orange and red. 'Miss Piggy' can handle a good bit of sun in all but the hottest climates where it would need at least some shade in the afternoon. The small green leaves of 'Miss Piggy' will be a lighter green if it is grown in more sunlight or a darker green if it is grown in more shade. 'Miss Piggy' is a hardy dwarf Japanese maple and can be grown in zones 5 through 9. What is the 10 Year Size of Acer palmatum 'Miss Piggy'? Height: 4-6 feet Width: 2-4 feet What is the Spring Color of Acer palmatum 'Miss Piggy'? Light Green What is the Summer Color of Acer palmatum 'Miss Piggy'? Green What is the Fall Color of Acer palmatum 'Miss Piggy'? Orange to Red What is the Leaf Shape of Acer palmatum 'Miss Piggy'? Broad Leaf What is the Sun Tolerance of Acer palmatum 'Miss Piggy'? Partial Sun What Growing Zones are suitable for Acer palmatum 'Miss Piggy'? Zones 5-9 What is the Shape of Acer palmatum 'Miss Piggy'? Upright and Compact Japanese Maple What is the Growth Rate of Acer palmatum 'Miss Piggy'? Fast Growing Dwarf Japanese Maple How should Acer palmatum 'Miss Piggy' be planted? Elevated in Well Drained Soil

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

Acer palmatum 'Mikawa kaen' is the Golden Mikawa Dwarf Japanese Maple Acer palmatum 'Mikawa kaen' is a dwarf Japanese maple that is a relative to the ever popular 'Mikawa yatsubusa'. 'Mikawa kaen' is slow growing with closely arranged leaves that create a wonderful stubby upright tree. The defining characteristic of 'Mikawa kaen' is the short inter nodal lengths and closely growing buds that create a stacked shingle like appearance of the leaves. 'Mikawa kaen' stays a little bit smaller than 'Mikawa yatsubusa' 'Mikawa kaen' has broad leaves that lay flat and close together. While the leaf shape and structure is quite similar to 'Mikawa yatsubusa', 'Mikawa kaen' has some differences in leaf color. The leaf color of this interested dwarf Japanese maple tree is gold to bronze in the spring. The leaves then change to green for most of the summer. 'Mikawa kaen' has incredible fall color ranging from orange to red. While it may be slow growing, 'Mikawa kaen' is still a hardy tree and can be grown in many different climates across the country. 'Mikawa kaen' can be comfortably grown in zones 5 through 9. 'Mikawa kaen' can be grown in full sun in some climates, but will prefer some afternoon shade in the hotter locations. 'Mikawa kaen' needs a little bit of morning sun at the minimum to produce the best spring colors.   Examples of the current sizes are included in the pictures. What is the 10 Year Size of Acer palmatum 'Mikawa Kaen'? Height: 4-6 feet Width: 3-4 feet What is the Spring Color of Acer palmatum 'Mikawa Kaen'? Light Green What is the Summer Color of Acer palmatum 'Mikawa Kaen'? Green What is the Fall Color of Acer palmatum 'Mikawa Kaen'? Orange to Red What is the Leaf Shape of Acer palmatum 'Mikawa Kaen'? Broad Flat Leaf What is the Sun Tolerance of Acer palmatum 'Mikawa Kaen'? Partial Sun What Growing Zones are suitable for Acer palmatum 'Mikawa Kaen'? Zones 5-9 What is the Shape of Acer palmatum 'Mikawa Kaen'? Upright and Compact Japanese Maple What is the Growth Rate of Acer palmatum 'Mikawa Kaen'? Slow Growing Dwarf Japanese Maple How should Acer palmatum 'Mikawa Kaen' be planted? Elevated in Well Drained Soil

Acer palmatum ‘Orion’ is another great plant from Dick Wolff of Red Maple Nursery in Pennsylvania, The very small deeply divided foliage appears bright cherry red in early spring. As the leaves age they become maroon, copper and olive green and much larger. This little tree always seems to have new growth at the tips with little bursts of red sitting at the branch ends creating an explosion of color like a miniature fireworks display in the garden. Fall color is generally a soft orange. 10 Year Size: Height: 4-5 Feet Width: 3-4 Feet

Great small maple that will grow  wider than tall, 'Tama hime' emerges in spring with orange tips to the leaves before turning green for the summer. Fall color ranges from bronze to orange. 10 year size: Height: 1-2 Feet   Width: 2-3 Feet

Acer palmatum 'Little Red' the Red Upright Growing Compact Dwarf Japanese Maple Acer palmatum 'Little Red' is a compact dwarf Japanese maple with an upright growth habit. 'Little Red' will grow very similarly to 'Twombly's Red Sentinel' but will stay shorter only getting to about 6 feet tall at maturity. 'Little Red' will grow with a very dense and compact growth habit that will develop in a shape like a short column. The size and shape of 'Little Red' make it perfect for small and narrow spaces in the landscape. Acer palmatum 'Little Red' emerges in the spring with stunning red leaves. The leaves of 'Little Red' are small and reminiscent of other red Japanese maples discovered as witches' brooms. The small leaves fade to burgundy in the summer and eventually turn a stunning bright red in the fall. Acer palmatum 'Little Red' can be grown in many different climates across the country. 'Little Red' should grow well in zones 5 through 9 and can be grown in full sun in all but the very hottest climates. In the hotter areas 'Little Red' would prefer a break from the hot afternoon sun. What is the 10 Year Size of Acer palmatum 'Little Red'? Height: 6-8 feet Width: 2-4 feet What is the Spring Color of Acer palmatum 'Little Red'? Red What is the Summer Color of Acer palmatum 'Little Red'? Burgundy What is the Fall Color of Acer palmatum 'Little Red'? Bright Red What is the Leaf Shape of Acer palmatum 'Little Red'? Small Broad Leaf What is the Sun Tolerance of Acer palmatum 'Little Red'? Partial Sun What Growing Zones are suitable for Acer palmatum 'Little Red'? Zones 5-9 What is the Shape of Acer palmatum 'Little Red'? Compact Japanese Maple What is the Growth Rate of Acer palmatum 'Little Red'? Fast Growing Dwarf Japanese Maple How should Acer palmatum 'Little Red' be planted? Elevated in Well Drained Soil

This is a cool little shrub type maple very similar in growth habit to the many hime type maples but with a cool little deeply divided leaf. Growing just about as tall as it is wide this little guy with the interesting texture finds itself at home in any garden setting where it can be given a partial shade. Fall color is mostly orange. 'Tiny Tim' was discovered by Dick Wolff of Red Maple Nurseries in Media, PA around 1980.10 year size: Height: 3-4 feet   Width: 3-4 feet   

(Pre-Order trees will start shipping in early May)

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. (Pre-Order trees will start shipping in early May) 10 Year Size: Height:  3-5 Feet    Width:  3-6 Feet

Acer palmatum 'Sharp's Pygmy' is a unique dwarf Japanese maple with small, green leaves. It has a short, compact growth habit and is an easy-to-care-for small-scale ornamental tree. Perfect for low-maintenance gardens, this variety of Japanese maple is sure to be a popular addition.(Pre-Order trees will start shipping in early May) 10 Year Size: Height: 3-5 feet   Width: 3-5 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. (Pre-Order trees will start shipping in early May) 10 Year Size: Height:  3-4 Feet    Width:  3-4 Feet

Acer palmatum ‘Kurenai Jishi’ is often referred to as the red lion’s head maple. ‘Kurenai jishi’ leafs out bright red in the spring with some of the most unique foliage you will ever see on a Japanese maple. The leaves are curled up, crinkled, and close to the branch similar to ‘Shishigashira’. The foliage on ‘Kurenai jishi’ turns from bright red to burgundy to green from spring to summer. The leaves then turn orange-red in fall. ‘Kurenai jishi’ is a dwarf Japanese maple that will only reach about 4 feet tall at maturity. (Pre-Order trees will start shipping in early May) 10 Year Size: Height: 3-5 feet Width: 1-3 feet

Acer palmatum ‘Jerre Schwartz’ was introduced by Billy Schwartz, owner of Green Mansions Nursery in Pennsylvania. 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. (Pre-Order trees will start shipping in early May) 10 year size: Height: 4-5 Feet   Width: 3-4 Feet  

Acer palmatum ‘Vic’s Broom’ is a fast growing dwarf Japanese maple with tiny leaves. These small leaves emerge in spring light green with red edges. The leaves transition to solid green by late spring. The foliage of ‘Vic’s Broom’ remains green until fall when the leaves turn yellow and orange. ‘Vic’s Broom’ will develop long leaders when young, but it will eventually form a dense shrub.(Pre-Order trees will start shipping in early May) 10 Year Size: Height: 2-4 feet Width: 4-6 feet

Acer palmatum 'Shidiva Gold' is a smaller form of 'Aoyagi'. 'Shidiva Gold' is known for its bright green foliage, green bark, and compact structure. The leaves of 'Shidiva Gold' emerge in the spring with a bright, chartreuse green color that only slightly fades into a light green in the summer. These leaves then turn to a bright yellow in the fall.  10 Year Size: Height: 6-8 feet   Width: 4-6 feet