Japanese maple trees are a popular choice for adding visual appeal to landscapes. These trees come in a diverse array of over a thousand varieties, offering various characteristics such as sizes, shapes, and colors to complement any garden design. They are renowned for their enduring beauty throughout the year.
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In the following, we’ll explore 30 gorgeous Japanese maple varieties that bring a unique charm to your garden throughout the year.
Be sure you also check out the Japanese maple overview I did where I discuss the most important aspects of these great ornamental trees.
1. Bloodgood Japanese Maple
The Bloodgood Japanese maple is a popular choice among garden enthusiasts. This tree grows up to 20 feet tall and 25 feet wide with a lovely rounded shape.
Its deep, purplish-red leaves retain their color well throughout the spring and summer, providing a striking contrast to the surrounding greenery.
As the season changes, the leaves turn into a bright scarlet red, adding a dramatic touch to the autumn landscape.
- Mature size: Up to 20 feet tall and 25 feet wide
- Spring and summer color: Deep, purplish-red
- Fall color: Bright scarlet red
2. Emperor I Japanese Maple
The Emperor I is a robust and resilient variety of Japanese maple. It grows up to 20 feet tall and wide, with a beautiful upright growth habit.
The tree bursts into life in spring with its vibrant, burgundy-red leaves. These leaves darken to a rich purple-red in the summer, providing a stunning display against the summer sky.
As autumn arrives, the leaves transform into a brilliant scarlet, creating a spectacular fall display. You can find it here at a terrific price.
- Mature size: Up to 20 feet tall and wide
- Spring and summer color: Vibrant, burgundy-red darkening to purple-red
- Fall color: Brilliant scarlet
3. Crimson Queen Japanese Maple
The Crimson Queen is a weeping variety of Japanese maple, known for its cascading branches and delicate lacy leaves.
It grows up to 10 feet tall and 15 feet wide, making it an excellent choice for small gardens or as a specimen tree.
The leaves emerge bright red in spring, gradually turning to a deep burgundy in summer. In the fall, the tree puts on a show with its vibrant crimson leaves.
- Mature size: Up to 10 feet tall and 15 feet wide
- Spring and summer color: Bright red turning to deep burgundy
- Fall color: Vibrant crimson
4. Fireglow Japanese Maple
The Fireglow Japanese maple lives up to its name with its fiery red leaves. This tree grows up to 10 feet tall and wide with an upright, rounded growth habit.
The leaves emerge bright red in spring and retain their fiery color throughout the summer, even in full sun. In the fall, the leaves turn a deeper shade of red, creating a stunning display. Find it at a great price here.
- Mature size: Up to 10 feet tall and wide
- Spring and summer color: Bright red
- Fall color: Deeper shade of red
5. Velvet Viking Japanese Maple
The Velvet Viking is a hardy variety of Japanese maple able to withstand colder climates. It typically grows up to 3 feet tall and 5 feet wide with a compact, mounding habit.
The leaves are a deep purple-red in spring and summer, and in the fall, the leaves turn a vibrant red, adding a splash of color to the autumn landscape.
- Mature size: Up to 3 feet tall and 5 feet wide
- Spring and summer color: Deep purple-red
- Fall color: Vibrant red
6. Beni Kawa Japanese Maple
The Beni Kawa Japanese maple is known for its unique coral-red bark, which provides year-round interest. This tree grows up to 15 feet tall and wide with an upright, vase-shaped growth habit.
The leaves emerge bright green in spring and maintain their color throughout the summer. In the fall, the leaves transform into a stunning display of yellow and orange hues.
- Mature size: Up to 15 feet tall and wide
- Spring and summer color: Bright green
- Fall color: Yellow and orange
7. Katsura Japanese Maple
The Katsura Japanese maple is a charming variety with delicate, deeply lobed leaves. It grows up to 15 feet tall and wide with a rounded, spreading habit.
The leaves emerge bright green edged with orange in spring, gradually turning to light green in summer. In the fall, the leaves turn vibrant orange, creating a spectacular autumn display.
- Mature size: Up to 15 feet tall and wide
- Spring and summer color: Bright green rimmed in orange turning to light green
- Fall color: Vibrant orange
8. Coral Bark Japanese Maple
The Coral Bark Japanese maple, botanically known as Acer palmatum ‘Sango-kaku’, is famous for its stunning coral-red bark that adds winter interest.
This tree grows up to 25 feet tall and 20 feet wide with an upright, vase-shaped growth habit.
The leaves are light green in spring and summer, providing a beautiful contrast to the red bark. In the fall, the leaves turn a brilliant yellow, adding to the tree’s multi-season appeal.
- Mature size: Up to 25 feet tall and 20 feet wide
- Spring and summer color: Light green
- Fall color: Brilliant yellow
9. Shaina Japanese Maple
The Shaina Japanese maple is a compact variety, perfect for small gardens or containers. It grows up to 6 feet tall and wide with a dense, bushy growth habit.
The leaves are a vibrant red in spring and summer, maintaining their color well even in hot climates. In the fall, the leaves deepen to a rich crimson.
- Mature size: Up to 6 feet tall and wide
- Spring and summer color: Vibrant red
- Fall color: Rich crimson
10. Beni Maiko Japanese Maple
The Beni Maiko Japanese maple, whose name means “red-haired dancing girl” in Japanese, is a showstopper with its vibrant foliage. This tree grows up to 7 feet tall and wide with a compact, rounded growth habit.
The leaves emerge bright red in spring, fading to a pinkish-red with green undertones in summer. In the fall, the leaves turn a fiery red, living up to its name.
- Mature size: Up to 7 feet tall and wide
- Spring and summer color: Bright red fading to pinkish-red with green undertones
- Fall color: Fiery red
11. Viridis Japanese Maple
The Viridis Japanese maple is a weeping variety known for its stunning green foliage. This tree grows up to 8 feet tall and 10 feet wide with a beautiful cascading growth habit.
The leaves are green or pale green in spring and summer, providing a cooling effect to the yard. In the fall, the leaves transform into a brilliant display of golden yellow.
- Mature size: Up to 8 feet tall and 10 feet wide
- Spring and summer color: Pale green
- Fall color: Golden yellow
12. Waterfall Japanese Maple
The Waterfall Japanese maple, as its name suggests, has a beautiful cascading growth habit. This tree grows up to 8 feet tall and 10 feet wide, making it an excellent choice for a specimen tree.
The laceleaf leaves are bright green in spring and summer, providing a beautiful contrast to the annual flowers in your garden. In the fall, the leaves turn a stunning golden yellow with orange and red highlights.
- Mature size: Up to 8 feet tall and 10 feet wide
- Spring and summer color: Bright green
- Fall color: Golden yellow with orange tones
13. Red Dragon Japanese Maple
The Red Dragon Japanese maple is known for its deep, burgundy-red foliage that retains its color throughout the summer. This tree grows up to 10 feet tall and wide with a beautiful weeping growth habit.
The leaves are deep red in spring, light burgundy in summer, and in the fall, the leaves turn to fiery crimson, delighting all who pass by your yard. (Find gorgeous, healthy Red Dragons here.)
- Mature size: Up to 8 feet tall and wide
- Spring and summer color: Deep red deepening to light burgundy
- Fall color: Fiery crimson
14. Atropurpureum Japanese Maple
The Atropurpureum Japanese maple is a classic variety with deep purple-red foliage. This tree grows up to 20 feet tall and wide with a rounded, spreading growth habit.
The leaves are a deep purple-red in spring and summer, and in the fall, the leaves turn a brilliant red, creating a gorgeous autumn display.
- Mature size: Up to 20 feet tall and wide
- Spring and summer color: Deep purple-red
- Fall color: Brilliant red
15. Pixie Japanese Maple
The Pixie Japanese maple is a dwarf variety, perfect for small gardens or containers. It grows up to 6 feet tall and wide with a compact, rounded growth habit.
The leaves are a wine red in spring, fading to a deep burgundy in summer. In the fall, the leaves turn a fiery red, becoming a stunning showpiece.
- Mature size: Up to 6 feet tall and wide
- Spring and summer color: Wine red fading to deep burgundy
- Fall color: Fiery red
16. Autumn Moon Japanese Maple
The Autumn Moon Japanese maple is known for its unique orange-red foliage. This tree grows up to 20 feet tall and wide with a rounded, spreading growth habit.
The leaves are bright orange-red in spring, and in the fall, the leaves turn a brilliant red, adding a dramatic touch to your yard.
- Mature size: Up to 20 feet tall and wide
- Spring and summer color: Bright orange-red
- Fall color: Brilliant red
17. Full Moon Japanese Maple
The Full Moon Japanese maple, known botanically as Acer japonicum ‘Aconitifolium’, is known for its large, rounded leaves that resemble a full moon.
This tree grows up to 8 feet tall and 10 feet wide with a beautiful spreading growth habit. The leaves are bright green in spring and summer, but in the fall, the leaves turn a vibrant orange-red, creating a spectacular autumn display.
- Mature size: Up to 8 feet tall and 10 feet wide
- Spring and summer color: Bright green
- Fall color: Vibrant orange-red
18. Garnet Japanese Maple
The Garnet Japanese maple is named for its beautiful lacy garnet-red foliage. This tree grows up to 10 feet tall and 12 feet wide with a cascading growth habit.
The leaves are deep garnet-red in spring and summer, providing a stunning contrast to surrounding greenery. In the fall, the leaves turn a brilliant red, adding a dramatic touch to the autumn landscape.
- Mature size: Up to 10 feet tall and 12 feet wide
- Spring and summer color: Deep garnet-red
- Fall color: Brilliant red
19. Orange Dream Japanese Maple
The Orange Dream Japanese maple is known for its unique orange foliage. This tree grows up to 10 feet tall and wide with a compact, upright growth habit.
The leaves are bright orange in spring, fading to light green in summer. In the fall, the leaves turn a vibrant orange-red, providing a stunning end to the growing season.
- Mature size: Up to 10 feet tall and wide
- Spring and summer color: Bright orange fading to light green
- Fall color: Vibrant orange-red
20. Tamukeyama Japanese Maple
The Tamukeyama Japanese maple is a weeping variety known for its deep, burgundy-red foliage that retains its color throughout the summer.
This tree grows up to 8 feet tall and 12 feet wide with a beautiful cascading growth habit.
The leaves are deep burgundy-red in spring and summer, and in the fall, the leaves turn a brilliant scarlet, adding a dramatic touch to the autumn landscape.
- Mature size: Up to 8 feet tall and 12 feet wide
- Spring and summer color: Deep burgundy-red
- Fall color: Brilliant scarlet
21. Osakazuki Japanese Maple
The Osakazuki Japanese maple is known for its large, palmate leaves and brilliant fall color. This tree grows up to 25 feet tall and wide with a rounded, spreading growth habit.
The leaves are bright green in spring and summer, and in the fall, the leaves turn a vibrant crimson, creating one of the most spectacular autumn displays of all Japanese maples.
- Mature size: Up to 25 feet tall and wide
- Spring and summer color: Bright green
- Fall color: Vibrant crimson
22. Ryusen Japanese Maple
The Ryusen Japanese maple is a unique weeping variety known for its cascading branches. This tree grows up to 6 feet tall and 8 feet wide with a beautiful pendulous growth habit.
The leaves are a vibrant green in spring and summer, providing a cooling effect in the garden. In the fall, the leaves transform into a brilliant display of gold and crimson.
- Mature size: Up to 6 feet tall and 8 feet wide
- Spring and summer color: Vibrant green
- Fall color: Gold and crimson
23. Emerald Lace Japanese Maple
The Emerald Lace Japanese maple is known for its delicate, lacy leaves. This tree grows up to 8 feet tall and 10 feet wide with a rounded, spreading habit.
The leaves are bright green in spring and summer, and in the fall, the leaves turn a vibrant orange-red, creating a spectacular autumn display.
- Mature size: Up to 8 feet tall and 10 feet wide
- Spring and summer color: Bright green
- Fall color: Vibrant orange-red
24. Moonrise Japanese Maple
The Moonrise Japanese maple is known for its unique foliage that changes color throughout the seasons. This tree grows up to 10 feet tall and wide with a compact, upright growth habit.
The leaves are a bright red in spring, fading to light green in summer. In the fall, the leaves turn a vibrant orange-red, creating an eye-catching display.
- Mature size: Up to 10 feet tall and wide
- Spring and summer color: Bright red fading to light green
- Fall color: Vibrant orange-red
25. Bihou Japanese Maple
The Bihou Japanese maple is known for its stunning yellow bark that adds winter interest. This tree grows up to 15 feet tall and wide with an upright, vase-shaped growth habit.
The leaves are light green in spring and summer, providing a beautiful contrast to the yellow bark. In the fall, the leaves turn a brilliant yellow, adding to the tree’s multi-season appeal.
- Mature size: Up to 15 feet tall and wide
- Spring and summer color: Light green
- Fall color: Brilliant yellow
26. Seiryu Japanese Maple
The Seiryu Japanese maple is a unique upright variety with delicate, lacy leaves. This tree grows up to 20 feet tall and wide with a beautiful spreading growth habit.
The leaves are bright green in spring and summer, providing a beautiful contrast to the surrounding greenery.
In the fall, the leaves turn a vibrant crimson, creating a spectacular autumn display.
- Mature size: Up to 20 feet tall and wide
- Spring and summer color: Bright green
- Fall color: Vibrant crimson
27. Butterfly Japanese Maple
The Butterfly Japanese maple is known for its variegated leaves that resemble butterfly wings. This tree grows up to 10 feet tall and wide with a compact, rounded growth habit.
The leaves are light green with white edges in spring and summer, providing a stunning contrast to the surrounding greenery.
In the fall, the leaves turn a vibrant red-orange, adding a much-welcome splash of color to your yard.
- Mature size: Up to 10 feet tall and wide
- Spring and summer color: Light green with white edges
- Fall color: Vibrant red-orange
28. Ukigumo Japanese Maple
The Ukigumo Japanese maple, also known as the Floating Cloud Japanese maple, is known for its variegated leaves that give the illusion of a cloud.
This tree grows up to 8 feet tall and wide with a compact, rounded growth habit. The leaves are light green with white and pink spots in spring and summer, providing a stunning contrast to the surrounding greenery.
In the fall, the leaves turn a vibrant yellow-orange, providing a stunning end to the growing season.
- Mature size: Up to 8 feet tall and wide
- Spring and summer color: Light green with white and pink spots
- Fall color: Vibrant yellow-orange
29. Green Cascade Japanese Maple
The Green Cascade Japanese maple is a weeping variety known for its cascading branches and delicate, lacy leaves.
This tree grows up to 6 feet tall and 8 feet wide, making it an excellent choice for small gardens or as a specimen tree.
The leaves are a vibrant green in spring and summer, providing a cooling effect in the garden. In the fall, the leaves transform into a brilliant display of gold and crimson.
- Mature size: Up to 6 feet tall and 8 feet wide
- Spring and summer color: Vibrant green
- Fall color: Gold and crimson
30. Shin Deshojo Japanese Maple
The Shin Deshojo Japanese maple is known for its vibrant red spring foliage. This tree grows up to 10 feet tall and wide with a compact, upright growth habit.
The leaves are a bright red in spring, fading to a greenish-red in summer. In the fall, the leaves turn a vibrant crimson, providing a stunning end to the growing season.
- Mature size: Up to 10 feet tall and wide
- Spring and summer color: Bright red fading to greenish-red
- Fall color: Vibrant crimson