Upright Japanese Maples

Acer shirasawanum 'Purple Umbrella' Full Moon Japanese Maple is a dwarf broadleaf Japanese maple that has large dark purpleish red leaves. Fall color could be anywhere from bright red to deep maroon coloring.  It grows to around 8 feet tall and around 4 feet wide. It was named after the leaf color and shape when introduced by Crispin Silva from Crispin Creations. 

Acer shirasawanum 'Royalty' is a red full moon Japanese maple. Unlike most full moon Japanese maples with their large, rounded leaves, 'Royalty' has very long, narrow leaves. These leaves are dark red in the spring and very attractive. Summer typically turns the leaves to a yellowish green. Fall color ranges from yellow to orange to red. 'Royalty' is a very nice upright growing tree that is quickly becoming a favorite here at the nursery. 'Royalty' will grow into a small to medium sized tree, perfect for most landscapes. 10 Year Size: Height: 10-12 feet   Width: 6-8 feet

‘JJ Fire Red ’ has deeply divided red leaves that appear in early spring with a beautiful red with white pubescence, first bronzing and then turning more green by summer in hot climates. A small spreading tree with great fall color that ranges from yellow to orange to red. This plant is sometimes listed in the trade as 'JJ'. 10 Year Size:   Height:  10-12 Feet   Width:  4-6 Feet Spring Color: Red Summer Color: Green Fall Color: Orange Sun Tolerance: Full Planting: Elevated, Well Drained Soil Our 1 Gallon and 3 Gallon sizes are available for shipping and in store pickup. Our larger sizes (7 Gallon and bigger) are only available for in store pickup.

Acer palmatum 'Ao kanzashi' is a variegated Japanese maple with very small leaves. These small leaves have a light variegation along the edges of the leaves. At times in the spring these variegated edges can be a red color, but most of the year the edges are a creamy white or light green color. Fall color is an impressive orange and red. 10 Year Size: Height: 10-12 feet   Width: 4-6 feet

Acer shirasawanum 'Yasemin' is a full moon Japanese Maple with excellent variations of red color all year long. 'Yasemin' emerges in spring with stunning deep red leaves that eventually darken to a dark purple towards the end of spring. The color fades some in the summer as nearly all red Japanese maples do. In the fall the leaves turn to a bright red. As a full moon Japanese maple the leaves of 'Yasemin' are quite large and broad though they are more deeply divided than most full moon types. 'Yasemin' can handle the heat and the sun very well making it an excellent variety for most climates. 'Yasemin' will grow into a short to medium size tree with a nice canopy. 'Yasemin' is an excellent upright Japanese maple variety for anyone who wants a classic red Japanese maple look that is still a little unique.  10 Year Size: Height: 8-10 feet   Width: 4-6 feet

Acer palmatum 'Hilleri' is an upright growing red Japanese maple tree. 'Hilleri' has dark burgundy leaves in the spring that hole good color throughout the summer. Fall color is a bright crimson red. 'Hilleri' can handle full sun in most climates and will grow into a medium sized tree at maturity. 10 Year Size: Height: 12-14 feet   Width: 8-10 feet

 A remarkable new introduction from acclaimed maple breeder Talon Buchholz, Acer palmatum 'Waveleaf' is quickly becoming one of the most sought-after Japanese maples among collectors and enthusiasts. This exceptional cultivar stands out for its extraordinary foliage color, intricate veining, and distinctive leaf texture. The first thing you'll notice about 'Waveleaf' is its stunning spring display. New growth emerges in vibrant shades of lavender-pink, rose-red, and purple-red, creating a luminous effect that immediately captures attention. Each leaf is highlighted by dramatically contrasting deep purple to nearly black veins, producing a striking reticulated pattern that gives the foliage remarkable depth and character. Few Japanese maples offer such a bold combination of color and detail. Adding to its appeal, the deeply divided leaves feature gently undulating margins that create the cultivar's signature "wave like" appearance. This rippled texture remains evident throughout the growing season, giving the tree an elegant, refined look even from a distance. As spring transitions into summer, the foliage matures to rich burgundy and dark wine-red tones while retaining much of its intricate veining and visual interest. Autumn brings yet another transformation as the leaves ignite into brilliant shades of orange-red, scarlet, and crimson. The dramatic fall display provides a fitting finale to a tree that delivers outstanding ornamental value from the first flush of spring growth until leaf drop. 'Waveleaf' exhibits a strong upright growth habit, making it an excellent specimen tree for prominent locations in the landscape. While it is still a relatively recent introduction and long-term growth data remains limited, current observations suggest a moderate growth rate with an estimated size of approximately 8 to 10 feet tall in ten years. This manageable stature allows it to fit comfortably into smaller gardens while still creating a substantial visual impact. Because of its exceptional foliage coloration, 'Waveleaf' is best positioned where it can be appreciated as a focal point. It pairs beautifully with green-leaved companions, evergreens, and woodland plantings that allow its unique colors to stand out. Collectors will especially appreciate its rarity and distinctive characteristics, which set it apart from more commonly available Japanese maple cultivars. For optimal performance, plant 'Waveleaf' in well-drained soil and provide protection from intense afternoon sun, particularly in warmer climates. Morning sun or filtered light will help preserve the brilliance of the foliage while reducing the risk of leaf scorch during periods of summer heat. Rare, elegant, and undeniably eye catching, Acer palmatum 'Waveleaf' represents an exciting new chapter in Japanese maple breeding. With its extraordinary reticulated foliage, graceful wavy leaf margins, and season long color display, this unique cultivar is destined to become a prized centerpiece in gardens and collections for years to come.

Amazingly short lobes for an Acer palmatum give 'Utsu semi' and unbeatable texture that contrasts well with almost everything in the garden. Add to that the vivid light green color in spring and you get a must have show stopper of a plant. 'Utsu semi' translates to grasshopper like skin. In summer leaves darken slightly but would still be considered light green. In fall the leaves turn orange to purple while the leaf veins remain green giving it a striking affect. Requires shade in warmer climates. 'Utsu semi' is rather slow growing and a little difficult to propagate so it is rather rare in the nursery trade. This little round topped tree will generally be as wide or wider than tall with age.  10 Year Size:   Height: 6-8 Feet   Width: 6-8 feet

‘Shigitatsu sawa’ is a classic upright Japanese maple prized for its reticulated variegation and long-standing popularity among maple collectors. This old and highly respected variety showcases some of the most striking contrast found in reticulated maples. In spring, the foliage emerges cream-white with vivid green veining. The leaves transition to soft green in summer, maintaining their distinctive reticulated pattern before finishing the season with a bright golden yellow fall color that lights up the landscape. One of the standout features of ‘Shigitatsu sawa’ is its creamy green interior paired with bright green veins, giving the leaves an almost glowing quality.  This variety performs best with protection from hot afternoon sun, helping preserve its delicate foliage and vibrant color. At maturity, ‘Shigitatsu sawa’ typically reaches 6–8 feet tall in 10 years, making it an excellent choice for collectors, focal plantings, and refined garden designs.

Acer palmatum 'Peridot Flame' is an exceptional green Japanese maple with intense fall color. The leaves emerge with soft peach and orange-green tones. Foliage settles into a rich olive-green, often edged or veined with pale lime highlights. As temperatures cool, colors shift to vibrant yellow, orange-yellow, and eventually orange-red. 10 Year Size: Height: 8-10 feet   Width: 4-6 feet

Acer palmatum ‘Dr. Seuss’ is a very unique Japanese maple with unusual leaves with an irregular shape. These leaves also have a unique light green on dark green variegation. At it’s peak this variegation is a creamy white on top of the darker green foliage. At other times the variegation can be quite subtle. These strange shaped leaves turn to a vibrant orange in the fall. 10 Year Size: Height: 6-8 feet Width 3-4 feet

This Japanese maple with deeply divided leaves, Introduced by Vermeulen & Son Nursery in New Jersey, in 1958 has very dark purple foliage in spring and holds its color well into the summer even in hotter climates.  But like most cultivars the heat will eventually turn the leaves first bronze and then to dark green. Some shading is recommended in hot climates. Probably the most outstanding feature of 'Burgundy Lace' is its mature shape, which will be much wider than tall. Also very attractive is the way in which the red petioles contrast with the purple foliage in spring. Fall color is bright red. 10 Year Size: Height:  8-12 feet    Width: 12-14 feet

Acer palmatum ‘Saoshika’ is an elegant upright Japanese maple known for its wide, graceful growth habit and beautiful seasonal color changes. In spring, the star-shaped leaves emerge a fresh, bright yellow-green that glows in the landscape. As the season progresses into late spring and early summer, the foliage deepens to green with soft orange overtones before settling into a rich green for the remainder of summer. Come fall, ‘Saoshika’ lights up again with a brilliant display of bright yellow, adding warmth and contrast to the autumn garden. Its refined structure and shifting colors make this variety an excellent choice for specimen planting or adding interest to mixed landscapes.

The Coral Bark Japanese Maple Bundle is mystery pack of four different coral bark Japanese maple varieties. Coral bark Japanese maples are excellent trees to have in your garden particularly for the winter interest. All of these trees have bright showy bark in the winter. The bark color on these trees range from yellow to red. Many of these varieties are also fast growing and display excellent fall color as well.  The Coral Bark Japanese Maple Bundle comes with four coral bark Japanese maple varieties. These varieties will not always be the same. Here are some varieties that may be included in the Coral Bark Japanese Maple Bundle: Sango Kaku Wildfire Baton Rouge Red Wood Japanese Sunrise Beni kawa Gold Digger Winter Red Aka Kawa Hime Winter Flame Little Sango And possibly others...

Acer palmatum ‘Bell Green’ is an excellent green Japanese maple with an upright habit. The leaves of ‘Bell Green’ actually emerge with a peachy, orange color. The color will eventually turn to green for most of the year. Fall color is an outstanding fiery orange-red. ‘Bell Green’ is a strong and fast growing tree that does well in the sun even in hotter climates. 10 Year Size: Height: 10-12 feet Width: 6-8 feet

Acer palmatum ‘Red Cloud’ is a nice red small tree linearlobum with dark purple foliage in spring. In cooler climates this tree will hold color most of the summer but in hotter areas it needs some shade  and it begins to bronze out in August. Red cloud forms an attractive small irregular round topped tree. Fall color is orange to red. 10 year size:  Height: 7-8 Feet   Width: 4-5  Feet