Compact Japanese Maples

Acer palmatum ‘Frilly Willy’ is a unique little Japanese maple with long, skinny, serrated leaves. The leaves are tightly bunched and grow close to the branches. The leaves of ‘Frilly Willy’ are green spring and summer before turning red in the fall.10 Year Size: Height: 6-8 feet Width: 2-4 feet

Acer palmatum 'Kinky Krinkle' is an unusual Japanese maple with "krinkled" leaves similar to the famous lion's head Japanese maple, 'Shishigashira'. However, 'Kinky Krinkle' does not have quite the same curl to the leaves that 'Shishigashira' has. 'Kinky Krinkle' leafs out in spring with bright green leaves. These green leaves darken in the summer. The fall color is a bright orange-red. 'Kinky Krinkle' is a fast growing tree that has much more flexible branching than the lion's head Japanese maple and is decidedly upright.  10 Year Size: Height: 10-12 feet   Width: 4-6 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

Also known as 'Little Margie'

Acer palmatum 'Mikawa Yatsubusa' is the Most Interested Dwarf Japanese Maple in Existence Acer palmatum 'Mikawa yatsubusa' is one of the most cool and unique dwarf Japanese maple varieties in existence. 'Mikawa yatsubusa' is slow growing with closely arranged leaves that create a wonderful stubby upright tree. The defining characteristic of 'Mikawa yatsubusa' is the short inter nodal lengths and closely growing buds that create a stacked shingle like appearance of the leaves. 'Mikawa yatsubusa' has broad leaves that lay flat and close together. The leaf color of this interested dwarf Japanese maple tree is bright green in the spring. The green color darkens in the summer and in the shade. 'Mikawa yatsubusa' has incredible fall color ranging from orange to red. 'Mikawa yatsubusa' puts on quite a show in the fall for a dwarf Japanese maple. While it may be slow growing, 'Mikawa yatsubusa' is still a very hardy tree and can be grown in climates all over the United States. 'Mikawa yatsubusa' can be comfortably grown in zones 5 through 9. 'Mikawa yatsubusa' can be grown in full sun in most climates. In the hottest locations 'Mikawa yatsubusa' would prefer some afternoon shade at the very least. However, 'Mikawa yatsubusa' does not require much sun and can be grown in shade in pretty much all climates. This great little plant was found in the 1970s in the Tōkai region of Japan and named after the old Mikawa province there. 'Mikawa yatsubusa' has become known as one of the most interesting Japanese maples in existence and now has a multitude of other Japanese maple varieties that have been created from its seeds. What is the 10 Year Size of Acer palmatum 'Mikawa Yatsubusa'? Height: 4-6 feet Width: 3-4 feet What is the Spring Color of Acer palmatum 'Mikawa Yatsubusa'? Light Green What is the Summer Color of Acer palmatum 'Mikawa Yatsubusa'? Green What is the Fall Color of Acer palmatum 'Mikawa Yatsubusa'? Orange to Red What is the Leaf Shape of Acer palmatum 'Mikawa Yatsubusa'? Broad Flat Leaf What is the Sun Tolerance of Acer palmatum 'Mikawa Yatsubusa'? Partial Sun What Growing Zones are suitable for Acer palmatum 'Mikawa Yatsubusa'? Zones 5-9 What is the Shape of Acer palmatum 'Mikawa Yatsubusa'? Upright and Compact Japanese Maple What is the Growth Rate of Acer palmatum 'Mikawa Yatsubusa'? Slow Growing Dwarf Japanese Maple How should Acer palmatum 'Mikawa Yatsubusa' 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

‘Pixie' is very similar to the more famous 'Bloodgood in mature shape only much smaller. ‘Pixie’ has foliage that emerges bright red in spring before turning much darker and holding its deep red color well into the summer even in hot climates. Then the show starts  as the foliage turns first scarlet then becoming fire red as temperatures drop in fall.  The bark on new wood is almost black but this dark color fades with age and develops slight striations which along with it's graceful habit gives 'Pixie' some winter interest.10 Year size: Height:  5-7 Feet   Width:  5-7 FeetSpring Color: RedSummer Color: BurgundyFall Color: Bright RedSun Tolerance: FullPlanting: Elevated, Well Drained Soil

Acer palmatum 'Ryugu' is a very exciting variegated Japanese maple. 'Ryugu' has about as much variegation to the leaves as any other Japanese maple. The speckled white variegation is quite consistent and should persist year over year. The other thing that is so interesting about this Japanese maple is it's dwarf, compact growth habit. 'Ryugu' will stay quite small with a dense and compact habit. The leaves are green with mostly creamy white variegation speckled all over the leaves. When fall comes 'Ryugu' catches on fire with very bright orange-red color. 10 Year Size: Height: 3-5 feet   Width: 2-4 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 'Shaina' is a Compact Dwarf Japanese Maple that has become a Favorite for Gardeners All Over the World Acer palmatum 'Shaina' is a very compact dwarf Japanese Maple that stays relatively small and does not take up a great amount of space. Very upright when young 'Shaina' begins to widen and fill in with age. At maturity 'Shaina' will develop into a thick and dense shrub that is about 3 to 5 feet tall and about as wide. The size and shape of 'Shaina' makes it perfect for smaller areas of the garden and is an excellent substitution for a weeping Japanese maple. The leaves of 'Shaina' appear nice red in the spring, a true red and not the purple of some cultivars. Though reported to hold its color all summer long in some parts of the world, by mid summer in hotter climate leaves turn bronze or green but then new red growth appears at the branch tips. Fall color is a very attractive bright red. The density of 'Shaina' will often contribute to a multiple color effect where the outer branches that get more sunlight will be much more red than the inner branches that will have more green color. Acer palmatum 'Shaina' can be grown in many different climates across the country. 'Shaina' 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 'Shaina' would prefer a break from the hot afternoon sun. ‘Shaina’ was discovered as a witches' broom on a 100-year-old red Japanese maple tree by Dick Wolf of Red Maple Nurseries in the early 1980's, this compact dwarf maple has become a favorite of maple enthusiasts and gardeners all over the world. What is the 10 Year Size of Acer palmatum 'Shaina'? Height: 3-5 feet Width: 3-5 feet What is the Spring Color of Acer palmatum 'Shaina'? Red What is the Summer Color of Acer palmatum 'Shaina'? Green What is the Fall Color of Acer palmatum 'Shaina'? Red What is the Leaf Shape of Acer palmatum 'Shaina'? Broad Leaf What is the Sun Tolerance of Acer palmatum 'Shaina'? Full Sun What Growing Zones are suitable for Acer palmatum 'Shaina'? Zones 5-9 What is the Shape of Acer palmatum 'Shaina'? Compact Japanese Maple What is the Growth Rate of Acer palmatum 'Shaina'? Moderately Growing Dwarf Japanese Maple How should Acer palmatum 'Shaina' be planted? Elevated in Well Drained Soil 7 Gallons are 4 feet tall or less and rootballs will need to be broken up to fit in shipping boxes.

Acer palmatum ‘Shishio hime’ is a very nice, small Japanese maple that will grow much wider than tall, forming a low mound with age. 'Shishio hime' emerges in spring with Red tips to the leaves before turning green for the summer. The leaves become smaller each year as the plant matures. Older specimens have some of the smallest leaves of any Acer palmatum. The foliage is also extremely dense. Fall color ranges from red and yellow to orange.10 year size: Height: 1-3 Feet   Width: 4-6 Feet 

Discovered by Ed "Skeeter" Rod in Pennsylvania this is a witches broom with the usual twiggy growth but a very vigorous upright habit. The small attractive leaves emerge bright red in spring before turning dark red in summer. This plant holds it's color very well even in hot climates. It also seems to hold color well in fairly heavy shade. Fall color is a bright scarlet and rather late compared to other maples. 10 Year Size: Height:  6-8 Feet  Width: 3-4 FeetSpring Color: RedSummer Color: RedFall Color: RedSun Tolerance: PartialPlanting: Elevated, Well Drained Soil

Acer palmatum ‘Twombly’s Red Sentinel’ is a Fast Growing Red Japanese Maple with a Compact and Columnar Growth Habit 'Twombly's Red Sentinel' grows with an extreme upright habit and very little lateral growth. 'Twombly's Red Sentinel' grows narrow and compact becoming a dense shrub with a tall, upright shape. This tree eventually develops into a column like shape. The compact nature of 'Twombly's Red Sentinel' makes it a great upright Japanese maple for smaller and narrower areas of the garden. 'Twombly's Red Sentinel' generally has larger broad, star shaped leaves with a rounded middle lobe. New leaves appear crimson red, then quickly darken to burgundy but as this plant almost always seems to be growing it has a two toned effect most of the year. 'Twombly's Red Sentinel' holds some red color pretty much all summer even in hotter climates. Fall color is a spectacular bright red and the dark red stems of the last new growth even add interest to the winter landscape. 'Twombly's Red Sentinel' can be grown in zones 5 through 9 and holds its color all year even in hot climates. 'Twombly's Red Sentinel' can tolerate full sun in even the hottest climates. 'Twombly's Red Sentinel' is an extremely hardy tree and will grow well in many different conditions. 'Twombly's Red Sentinel' was an introduction discovered as a witches broom on a 'Bloodgood' by Ken Twombly of Twombly Nursery, Monroe Connecticut. Much more vigorous than most witches brooms, 'Twombly's Red Sentinel' quickly develops the upright columnar habit for which it has become famous but will widen some with age. What is the 10 Year Size of Acer palmatum 'Twombly's Red Sentinel'? Height: 10-12 feet Width: 3-5 feet What is the Spring Color of Acer palmatum 'Twombly's Red Sentinel'? Dark Red What is the Summer Color of Acer palmatum 'Twombly's Red Sentinel'? Burgundy What is the Fall Color of Acer palmatum 'Twombly's Red Sentinel'? Bright Red What is the Leaf Shape of Acer palmatum 'Twombly's Red Sentinel'? Broad Leaf What is the Sun Tolerance of Acer palmatum 'Twombly's Red Sentinel'? Full Sun What Growing Zones are suitable for Acer palmatum 'Twombly's Red Sentinel'? Zones 5-9 What is the Shape of Acer palmatum 'Twombly's Red Sentinel'? Compact Upright Japanese Maple What is the Growth Rate of Acer palmatum 'Twombly's Red Sentinel'? Fast Growing Upright Japanese Maple How should Acer palmatum 'Twombly's Red Sentinel' be planted? Elevated in Well Drained Soil 7 Gallons are 4 feet tall or less and rootballs will need to be broken up to fit in shipping boxes.