Buy Acer palmatum 'Emperor 1'

This vibrant purple maple has been around for quite awhile but is still one of the better purple leafed small tree size Japanese maples.

This vigorous, deep purple-red Japanese maple resembles ‘Bloodgood,’ but has better leaf color retention, and the advantage of leafing out two weeks later. A hardy, upright tree with a broad canopy, it makes a striking focal point in the large landscape.

This tree is truly one of the finest of the red-leaved Japanese maples. The beautiful bright purple-red spring leaves appear later than most allowing them to escape damage from late spring frosts. The gorgeous deep-red leaves keep their vibrant, rich color all summer long before turning to an exquisite crimson in fall. This maple is a wonderful 12-15' treasure for any garden. S-PSh/M

Emperor 1 Japanese Maple is a fabulous specimen tree, holding its color better than most red Japanese maples. It is one of the hardiest and more vigorous of the reds. Fall color on Emperor 1 Japanese Maple is brilliant crimson. It you want to make a statement in your garden, this is your tree!

Red Emperor' is similar in appearance to 'Bloodgood', however, it has the distinct advantage of not leafing out until about two weeks later in the spring. In areas of the country that are prone to a late frost, 'Red Emperor' has an exceptional advantage. The dark red leaf color lasts throughout the season. In the fall, the leaves turn to a fiery crimson. Growth Rate fast

'Emperor 1' is similar to Bloodgood in leaf size and color retention. The large leaves of Emperor 1 have a bit of a blue pigment, giving them a more translucent glow in sunlight. This reliable tree is more vigorous than Bloodgood and leafs out two weeks later which reduces damage from late frosts in spring.

Acer palmatum ' Red Emperor ' This is the new standard for the upright red variety Japanese Maple. Acer palmatum 'bloodgood' has long been the standard, but this variety has better leaf color retention and a faster growth rate, and better yet the leaves are thinner and cast more of a glow in sunshine. Originally introduced by Dick Wolff at Red Maple Nursery in Pennsylvania as Emperor 1 in 1976. It does not matter what you call it, this is a great plant. It is the most recent to claim the title Better Than 'Bloodgood' and in some ways it is. 'Red Emperor does not burn in full sun in the Southeast, as to how well it holds it's color, we find that in some landscapes it does as well or better than other cultivars but in other situations it seems to turn green a little quicker. We have yet to determine what causes this. Either way, this tree will not disappoint you. Another advantage is that it usually leafs out a few days later than 'Bloodgood' in the spring lessening the chance of frost damage. The growth rate is very good, spring color is dark purple and fall color is bright red.

Palmatum Group red. Red Emperor is the latest claimant to the throne of the reddest the longest. In our limited experience it has indeed maintained good red color through the summer. The leaves are palmate and a little larger than average. It is vigorous, growing to 10-12' in ten years. Where we garden, Red Emperor has handled summer heat easily, and is developing a reputation for good overall performance in difficult situations.

Here is the perfect choice if you have some space and want a red-leafed focal point. New foliage emerges two weeks later than most, making 'Emperor I' less susceptible to late-spring frosts. Holds color well; glows when backlit by sunlight.

Leaves hold deep red-purple color through summer, turn dark crimson in fall. USDA zones 5-9.

This is one of those 'Next Big Things'. Emperor 1 is supposed to have good red leaves that stay red in the summer and have a certain translucent quality so that you can see the sun shining through the leaves. It is a nice tree, but I am not sure that I could tell it from a 'Bloodgood' if I were really pressed. It does grow reasonably fast to 18' and then will leisurely get taller, maybe 25' or so. zone 5

Bright red foliage, more red than maroon, that glows in the late afternoon. Leafs out 2 weeks later than 'Bloodgood', making it less frost sensitive. Upright habit, growing to 12-15', ultimately, but it can also be trained as bonsai. Large sizes available for nursery pick up only.

Translucent color-fast red leaves on this vigorous small tree that tops out at 15-20 ft.