Add a Japanese maple (Acer palmatum) to your garden for spectacular three-season colour in shades of orange, crimson, purple, pink or green. Suitable for gardens of any size, these popular ornamental trees range from petite pot-dwelling varieties to impressive specimen trees.
Acer trees are beloved for their stunning autumn colour. The Japanese maple tree (Acer palmatum) is a compact, slow-growing species with elegant branches and finely divided leaves. Its non-invasive root system and small size makes it the perfect ornamental tree for small gardens, urban gardens and front gardens. In larger gardens, you can plant Japanese maple trees under taller deciduous trees to create a layered canopy.
There are three main species of Japanese maple: Acer palmatum, Acer japonicum and Acer shirasawanum. Most popular cultivars in the UK are bred from Acer palmatum. Although many people buy acers for their late-season colour, many Japanese maples offer unusual colour in spring as well as summer and autumn, and some have colourful stems to brighten up your garden in winter.
When buying an acer tree, the choice can be overwhelming. To help you narrow down your options, I've picked some of my favourite Acer palmatum maple trees for different gardens and colour schemes. Alternatively, you can browse our full range of Japanese maple trees. We offer free delivery on all orders over £50.
Best acer trees for small gardens
Acer palmatum 'Orange Dream' is a medium-sized Japanese acer tree that's large enough to act as a specimen plant or focal point in small gardens but petite enough that it won't overwhelm the space. You can also grow it in a large container in a courtyard garden or as part of a patio display. Acer 'Orange Dream' grows bright orange-tinged yellow leaves in spring, which mature to a lime green colour in summer. In autumn, the leaves turn a rich orange-yellow colour.
Other Japanese acers that are particularly suited to tiny gardens include Acer palmatum 'Little Princess', which has beautiful green leaves with red margins in spring, and Acer 'Wilson's Pink Dwarf'.
Best acer to grow in a pot
Many varieties of Acer palmatum (Japanese maple) will have a long, happy life when grown in a pot. Move your acer tree into a slightly larger pot every few years until it reaches maturity and wrap the container in fleece or hessian to protect it in cold weather.
Acer palmatum 'Beni Maiko' is shrub-like acer with vibrant spring and autumn colour. The new leaves start out red and pink before fading to green in summer. You can then enjoy bright colours again in autumn when the leaves develop deep orange-red tones. Acer 'Beni Maiko' grows to around 1.5 metres and is a stunning centerpiece for a tiny garden or patio.
Best acer for full sun in the UK
Japanese maple trees prefer partial or dappled shade, and can suffer from scorched leaves if they get too much sun. Acer palmatum 'Bloodgood' is one of the more resilient cultivars and can be planted in full sun. To minimise the risk of leaf damage, make sure the tree gets plenty of moisture during hot, dry periods, and plant it in a sheltered area to protect it from drying winds.
Acer 'Bloodgood' is one of the best purple-leaved acers. Unlike many Japanese maples, it holds its colour through the summer months, with the deeply cut leaves taking on a crimson hue in autumn. It has an upright habitat with a height and spread of 4 metres.
When searching for acers for full sun, also consider where you live in the UK. In more northerly areas, the sun isn't as strong, so you have more flexibility when planting Japanese maples. Acer 'Sango-Kaku' and Acer palmatum 'Shaina' are other good choices for sunnier parts of the garden.
Best acers for shade
Generally speaking, most Japanese maple trees will do better in shade than full sun. Indirect sunlight is fine, but acers struggle in areas of deep, continuous shade where light levels are very low. The amount of sunlight does affect the leaf colour, and if you plant a red or purple-leaved cultivar in shade, you won't get the same intensity of colour as you would in a sunny spot.
Acer palmatum 'Dissectum' is a lovely green acer tree with ornate, deeply dissected leaves that have a feathery appearance. The bright lime green leaves turn yellow and orange in autumn before falling to the ground.
Variegated Japanese maples like Acer 'Ukigumo' and Acer 'Butterfly' need partial shade to protect their foliage from leaf burn, so they're also a good option for shaded gardens. Don't rule out purple-leaved varieties either; Acer 'Bloodgood' develops beautiful deep green leaves with purple edging when planted in shade.
Best acers for winter colour
Acer trees are deciduous, but some Japanese acers have colourful stems that can light up your garden in winter, offering true year-round interest. These trees make a wonderful focal point in any garden. Acer 'Sango Kaku', also known as the coral bark maple, has pinkish yellow leaves that turn green during the summer months, before mellowing to a soft yellow in autumn. When the leaves fall, they reveal the tree's bright coral-pink branches and stems.
Acer 'Bi Hō' offers golden yellow stems during the winter months, with yellow-green foliage that trends orange during autumn. It's a more compact cultivar than 'Sango Kaku', but the two look wonderful planted together in a winter garden.
Best orange acer tree
Acer palmatum 'Katsura' produces bright orange leaves in spring that mellow to an orange-fringed golden yellow shade. The colour changes to green over the summer before returning to vibrant orange as the weather cools. When fully grown, Acer 'Katsura' has a height and spread of around 4 metres, making it a good option for larger gardens.
Best purple acer tree
Acer palmatum 'Atropurpureum' is a popular variety with deeply lobed purple leaves that turn a bright crimson in autumn. Plant it against a light backdrop to make the most of the rich, dark colour. Acer 'Atropurpureum' is one of the largest Japanese maples, but it will take several decades to reach its full size. If you grow it in a container, this will restrict the size for smaller gardens.
Best pink acer tree
Acer 'Taylor' is an elegant pink acer with delightful blush-pink spring foliage. The centre of the leaves turns green, and this spreads out, pushing the pink colour to the leaf margins through late spring and summer. At the end of summer, the foliage turns a brilliant lime green. This slow-growing acer is perfect for small gardens and pots and adds a unique look to any space.
Best variegated acer tree
While many acers turn a plain (if lovely) green during the summer, some have variegated leaves for additional interest. These may be mottled, but more commonly, variegation occurs at the edges of the leaves. Acer 'Butterfly' has deeply lobed green leaves with jagged cream margins that are often tinted pink. In autumn, the leaves turn a brilliant orange-red before dropping.
