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Acer palmatum 'Atropurpureum'

Also Known As

Acer palmatum var. atropurpureum
Red leaf Japanese Maple

Plant type

tree

size

H: 15'-20'
W: 12'-20'

planting zones

5a-9b

More Options

Acer palmatum 'Atropurpureum' plant details

Acer palmatum 'Atropurpureum' is a fast-growing broadleaf deciduous tree with burgundy and red foliage. Attracts beneficial insects and birds. Grows well with sun - mostly shade and even moisture - regular water. Does well in average, rich and well-drained soil. A good option if you're seeking something humidity tolerant.

CHARACTERISTICS OF Acer palmatum 'Atropurpureum'

Plant type: tree
Plant family: sapindaceae
Foliage: deciduous burgundy and red
Mature size: 12 FT - 20 FT - wide, 15 FT - 20 FT - tall
Uses: bare root shipping available, fall color

GROWING CONDITIONS for Acer palmatum 'Atropurpureum'

USDA Zones: 5a - 9b
Sun exposure: sun - mostly shade
Watering frequency: even moisture - regular
Resistant to: humidity
Soil needs: average, rich and well-drained

Nursery contributed plant descriptions

Japanese Red Maples offer fantastic color and shape as specimen plants in home gardens and landscapes. Best planted with light green and yellow plants, such as many Coral Bell varieties or Spirea, to bring out the best color possible in both. Red Japanese Maples are very popular in Asian style gardens, but are quickly becoming more popular in less formal garden designs as well as primary focal plants.

Acer palmatum var. atropurpureum plants are grown from seed produced from red varieties crossed with themselves or with other red varieties. Most commonly, Bloodgood is used as a the parent as most of its seedlings will have the same red trait that makes it so popular. Seedlings which are not a deep red (usually less than 1%) are pulled from the seedling beds and often used as rootstock for named varieties. Because these plants can be grown from seed rather than having to graft them, they are available at a much better price - usually half the cost of grafted varieties. When growing grafted varieties, we have not seen any significant difference between those and Acer palmatum atropurpureum. We much prefer to grow and sell these red seedlings rather than named red varieties because they are a much better value.

A lovely Red Leaf Japanese Maple. Image source: Heritage Seedlings

Fall color showing the red leaves starting to transition into other colors.

By: Red Panda Nursery

This upright maple is the red leafed, seed grown selection of Japanese maple. The seeds come from trees known for good color retention. Direct sun gives the best color. This little tree is the perfect in Asian-inspired gardens, with its magnificent leaf color and shape. The Japanese red maple lends a sense of grace to any space. The splash of red is a welcome addition to any garden.

By: Maples N More Nursery

A lovely Japanese Maple with finely divided leaves that emerge red in the spring, fading to green as the summer heat approches. Great fall color in shades gold,red or orange. Growth Rate fast

By: Garden World

One of the toughest Japanese Maples at least when they are on their own roots which these are, it is fully hardy here with exellent reddish purple color that get's even better in fall. Grafted maples are chancy in the north because you never know how hardy the understock is which is why we prefer them on there own roots. Also there is no understock to cut off.

By: Arrowhead Alpines

One-year plants are perfect for re-potting to grow on for a season; transplants are best for prompt resale. For best branching, lightly pinch the stem tips when they're in tender new growth. An excellent choice for inexpensive alternative to grafted varieties, they are often sold in the GC in a #1 or #2 pot.

By: Heritage Seedlings

An Almost Eden exclusive! This green-leaved Dwarf Japanese Maple has proven to be quite tolerant to shaping and pruning and the hot Southern Summers even in Full sun! Reliably provides fall colors of glowing orange, reds, and yellows, even in zone 8B. Reddish bronze new growth develops into a soft green. Our tree is kept pruned into a bowl-cut form and is about 8'H x 10-12'W.

By: Almost Eden

Palmatum Group -red - The variety best known to the public, this tree is extremely popular. Name is now applicable to any markedly red leafed seedling, although on most, the leaves turn green to one degree or the other in summer and back to red in the fall. Apx. 7-10' tall in 10 years. Recommended by: the United States National Arboretum.

By: Fantastic Plants

Intense maroon leaves.

By: Hoot Owl Hollow Nursery

Red Japanese Maple - This variety comes from the seed of a Bloodgood tree, making it one of the best red colors from a seedling.

By: Oregon Grown Tree Farm

Red Japanese Maple seedlings can be as various as any cultivar. There is no way to tell whether your tree will grow to 8' or 30', but you can count on red leaves in summer and good fall color.