Japanese maple trees are a wonderful choice for enhancing any garden. Their dainty stature and colorful leaves create a graceful and serene ambiance.
Because not everyone has plenty of room for large trees, the dwarf varieties stand out for their ability to fit into small spaces while still providing the same aesthetic appeal.
In the following, we will introduce you to 25 stunning dwarf Japanese maple varieties, each with its unique charm and characteristics.
Discover the most important aspects of caring for your tree in my Japanese Maple Guide. You’ll learn about the best varieties, the basics of care, possible problems to watch for, and much more!
1. Shaina Japanese Maple
The Shaina Japanese maple is a compact variety known for its striking red leaves. This dwarf tree grows into a dense, rounded shape, making it a perfect focal point for small gardens.
- Mature size: 5-6 feet tall and wide
- Spring and summer color: Bright red
- Fall color: Dark red
2. Dwarf Coral Bark Japanese Maple
The Dwarf Coral Bark Japanese maple is a smaller version of the popular Coral Bark trees.
It’s famous for its coral-red bark that provides a stunning contrast to its light green leaves. This feature makes it a year-round attraction in the garden.
- Mature size: 6-8 feet tall, 5-6 feet wide
- Spring and summer color: Bright green
- Fall color: Yellow to orange
3. Rhode Island Red Japanese Maple
Rhode Island Red is a dwarf variety that offers a beautiful display of red foliage throughout the growing season. Its compact size and resilient nature make it an excellent choice for containers or small gardens.
- Mature size: 6 feet tall, 6-8 feet wide
- Spring and summer color: Bright red darkening to burgundy
- Fall color: Bright, fiery red
4. Butterfly Japanese Maple
The Butterfly Japanese maple is a unique variety that features delicate variegated leaves, giving the appearance of butterflies fluttering on the branches.
This tree is a true spectacle when it bursts into shades of red and orange in the fall.
- Mature size: 7-10 feet tall, 8-10 feet wide
- Spring and summer color: Green with white edges
- Fall color: Red and orange
5. Crimson Queen Japanese Maple
Crimson Queen is a weeping variety of Japanese maple. Its cascading branches covered with finely cut, crimson-red leaves create a stunning waterfall effect, making it a standout in any landscape.
- Mature size: 8-10 feet tall, 10-15 feet wide
- Spring and summer color: Bright red turning to deep burgundy
- Fall color: Vibrant crimson
6. Red Dragon Japanese Maple
The Red Dragon Japanese maple is a weeping variety known for its deep purple-red leaves that retain their color throughout the summer. This tree provides a dramatic display of fiery red foliage in the fall.
- Mature size: 7-8 feet tall, 10-12 feet wide
- Spring and summer color: Deep red deepening to light burgundy
- Fall color: Fiery red
7. Tamukeyama Japanese Maple
Tamukeyama is a classic Japanese maple variety with a weeping form and deeply dissected, dark-red leaves. Its cascading branches create an elegant, waterfall-like effect.
- Mature size: 6-8 feet tall, 8-12 feet wide
- Spring and summer color: Dark red
- Fall color: Bright scarlet
8. Sango Kaku Japanese Maple
Also known as the Coral Bark maple, the Sango Kaku is famous for its coral-red bark and light green leaves that turn golden in the fall. This tree offers year-round interest in the garden. You can find it for sale here.
- Mature size: 20-25 feet tall, 20 feet wide
- Spring and summer color: Light green
- Fall color: Golden yellow
9. Mikawa Yatsubusa Japanese Maple
The Mikawa Yatsubusa is a unique dwarf variety with a layered structure. Its small, green leaves turn golden yellow and crimson in the fall, providing a stunning contrast.
- Mature size: 3-4 feet tall, 3-4 feet wide
- Spring and summer color: Green
- Fall color: Golden yellow and crimson
10. Pixie Japanese Maple
The Pixie Japanese maple is a compact variety with vibrant red leaves. It’s a versatile tree that can be used in containers, bonsai, or small gardens.
- Mature size: 5-6 feet tall, 5-6 feet wide
- Spring and summer color: Red to purple
- Fall color: Fiery red to orange
11. Viridis Japanese Maple
The Viridis Japanese maple is a weeping variety known for its green, finely cut leaves that turn golden yellow in the fall. It’s a perfect tree for creating a serene atmosphere in the garden.
- Mature size: 6-8 feet tall, 8-10 feet wide
- Spring and summer color: Pale green
- Fall color: Golden yellow
12. Wilson’s Pink Dwarf Japanese Maple
Wilson’s Pink Dwarf is a unique variety with pinkish-red leaves in the spring that turn green in the summer. It’s a perfect tree for adding a splash of color to small gardens.
- Mature size: 4-6 feet tall, 4-6 feet wide
- Spring and summer color: Pinkish-red turning to green
- Fall color: Red and orange
13. Koto No Ito Japanese Maple
Koto No Ito, meaning “Harp Strings” in Japanese, is a variety known for its slender, string-like leaves. This tree provides a delicate and elegant display in the garden.
- Mature size: 6-8 feet tall, 4-5 feet wide
- Spring and summer color: Green
- Fall color: Yellow and orange
14. Kamagata Japanese Maple
The Kamagata Japanese maple is a small, upright variety with light green leaves that turn vibrant shades of yellow and red in the fall. It’s an excellent choice for containers or small gardens.
- Mature size: 5-6 feet tall, 4-5 feet wide
- Spring and summer color: Light green
- Fall color: Yellow and red
15. Murasaki Kiyohime Japanese Maple
The Murasaki Kiyohime is a dwarf variety known for its wide, flat growth and vibrant green leaves that turn yellow and red in the fall. This tree is perfect for creating a low canopy or a bonsai.
- Mature size: 3-4 feet tall, 3-4 feet wide
- Spring and summer color: Green
- Fall color: Yellow and red
16. Hupp’s Dwarf Japanese Maple
Hupp’s Dwarf is a compact variety with a rounded form and deep red leaves. Its small size makes it an excellent choice for containers or small gardens.
- Mature size: 4-6 feet tall, 4-6 feet wide
- Spring and summer color: Deep red
- Fall color: Bright red
17. Ariadne Japanese Maple
The Ariadne Japanese maple is a unique variety with variegated leaves that display a mix of colors, including pink, red, and green. This tree is a true spectacle in any landscape.
- Mature size: 6-8 feet tall, 6-8 feet wide
- Spring and summer color: Pink, red, and green
- Fall color: Red and orange
18. Mikazuki Japanese Maple
Mikazuki is a small, upright Japanese maple known for its lacy variegated leaves that are splashed with pink, white, and green. This tree provides a stunning display of color throughout the year.
- Mature size: 6-8 feet tall, 4-5 feet wide
- Spring and summer color: Pink, white, and green
- Fall color: Red and orange
19. Chishio Japanese Maple
The Chishio Japanese maple is a compact variety known for its bright red spring foliage that turns green in the summer and then red again in the fall. It’s a perfect tree for adding year-round color to the garden.
- Mature size: 4-6 feet tall, 4-6 feet wide
- Spring and summer color: Bright red turning to green
- Fall color: Red
20. Coonara Pygmy Japanese Maple
The Coonara Pygmy is a dwarf variety with finely dissected leaves that turn from green to vibrant shades of orange and red in the fall. This tree is perfect for creating a fiery display in the garden.
- Mature size: 4-5 feet tall, 4-5 feet wide
- Spring and summer color: Green
- Fall color: Orange and red
21. Kashima Japanese Maple
The Kashima Japanese maple is a compact variety known for its green leaves and rounded form. This tree provides a serene and elegant display in the garden.
- Mature size: 4-6 feet tall, 4-6 feet wide
- Spring and summer color: Green
- Fall color: Yellow and red
22. Twombly’s Red Sentinel Japanese Maple
Twombly’s Red Sentinel is a unique variety with a columnar form and bright red leaves. This tree is perfect for adding a splash of color to narrow spaces in the garden.
- Mature size: 10-12 feet tall, 4-5 feet wide
- Spring and summer color: Bright red
- Fall color: Dark red
23. Ryusen Japanese Maple
The Ryusen Japanese maple is a weeping variety known for its cascading branches and bright green leaves that turn golden yellow and crimson in the fall. This tree provides a stunning waterfall-like display in the garden.
- Mature size: 6-8 feet tall, 6-8 feet wide
- Spring and summer color: Bright green
- Fall color: Golden yellow and crimson
24. Shishigashira Japanese Maple
Also known as the Lion’s Head maple, the Shishigashira Japanese maple is a compact variety with curled green leaves that turn vibrant shades of red and orange in the fall.
This tree is perfect for creating a unique and colorful display in the garden.
- Mature size: 10-15 feet tall, 8-10 feet wide
- Spring and summer color: Green
- Fall color: Red and orange
25. Mikawa Yatsubusa Japanese Maple
The Mikawa Yatsubusa is a unique dwarf variety with a layered structure. Its small, green leaves turn golden yellow and crimson in the fall, providing a stunning contrast.
- Mature size: 3-4 feet tall, 3-4 feet wide
- Spring and summer color: Green
- Fall color: Golden yellow and crimson
Closing Thoughts
Dwarf Japanese maples are an excellent choice for any garden, large or small. Their compact size, vibrant foliage, and unique forms add a touch of elegance and tranquility to any landscape.
Whether you’re looking for a tree with bright red leaves, a unique form, or year-round interest, there’s a dwarf Japanese maple variety for you. Happy gardening!