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 '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

Acer palmatum ‘Seiun kaku’ is a Japanese cultivar has bright green leaves and red petioles. Similar to 'Mikawa yatsubusa' in that the leaves are layered one over the other like tiles on a roof but 'Seuin kaku' is much faster growing developing into a small more open and airy tree. 'Seiun kaku' finishes most years with a very nice deep red fall color. The Japanese name means blue-green tower or palace in the clouds. 10 year size: Height: 5-6 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