Japanese Red Maple | Mini-Grow Kit

Japanese Red Maple, also sometimes called “Red Leaf Japanese Maple,” is one of the most sought-after landscaping and bonsai trees in the world. It is just one of hundreds of cultivars of Acer palmatum, but it is arguably one of the most flamboyant and desirable — with eye-popping foliage colors delighting differently in each season and a wonderful, organized, umbrella-like form. Despite its extravagant, almost constant, color show, this wonderful tree retains that certain staid dignity and formality so typical of Japanese gardens and Japanese Maples — never garish, never inelegant.

A small-to-medium sized deciduous tree (usually about 25 feet or less at maturity) with a singular trunk or multiple silver-clad stems, Japanese Red Maple offers not only a wonderful foliar display, but a number of other qualities that make it an object of obsession for many gardeners: (1) a pleasing size and shapely hemispheric or globe-like symmetry that occurs naturally without pruning; (2) those lovely star-shaped, deeply lobed serrated leaves for which Japanese Maples are famous; (3) an elegantly-organized branching pattern that gives the foliage a unique draped or layered appearance; and, finally (4), carefree growing and a facile adaptability to diverse circumstances, from bonsai and patio containers to shady gardens to wide open front lawns. Still, with Acer palmatum ‘Atropurpureum’, the real star of the show is undoubtedly color — an amazing, constantly evolving palate of show-stopping color in every season.

“Atropurpureum” means dark purple, but this tree is not dark purple all the time. Leaves emerge in spring almost glowing in vivid scarlet. Gradually, they darken into a deep, florid purple, then, as the season draws on, they modulate to a brooding wine burgundy before moving into gilded purplish bronze during the heat of summer. Their final move in Autumn is to put on a display of one of the most brilliant reds in the natural world.

In Japan, Acer palmatum ‘Atropurpureum’ has been cherished for centuries. In the West, it’s been imported and cultivated widely since about the mid-1800s. Like most Japanese Maples, Acer palmatum ‘Atropurpureum’ is a moderate grower which succeeds almost effortlessly in partial shade or filtered sunlight locations with well-drained, moist soils. This species is cold hardy to -20°F and also performs well in high temperature locations, so long as shade and ample moisture are provided. Virtually carefree once established in most temperate climates.

Acer palmatum ‘Atropurpureum’ is a ruby jewel of a tree — a vibrant visual highlight in any setting, and just plain stop-you-in-your-tracks spectacular when planted in groupings.

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Growing a tree from seed is a magical and fascinating experience for people of all ages. Our 100% guaranteed Grow Kits provide everything you need to germinate some of the world’s largest and most interesting tree species from seed — seeds, growing medium, a mini-greenhouse, and detailed instructions, which lead you through the whole process, from cold-stratifying your seeds to germination and transplanting.

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If your seed fails to germinate or your seedling perishes, we are happy to provide free replacement seed. We encourage all customers experiencing difficulties growing their trees to contact us through our toll-free “Tree Help Line” (1-888-387-3379).