The Most Beautiful Japanese Maple, Ranked
Voting rules: Choose the Japanese Maple you think is the most beautiful!
Updated on May 2, 2024 06:18
Gardening enthusiasts often debate which Japanese Maple stands out as the most eye-catching. These trees, known for their stunning leaf colors and graceful growth habits, can radically transform a landscape. However, choosing which variety shines the brightest can be a subjective decision, heavily influenced by personal taste and the specific gardening context.
By participating in this online ranking, you help create a crowd-sourced list that reflects a wider range of opinions. This dynamic resource aids others in making informed decisions when choosing a Japanese Maple for their own gardens. Your votes contribute to a broader understanding of what makes these trees special in varying environments.
What Is the Most Beautiful Japanese Maple?
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174votesThis variety of Japanese Maple boasts deep red foliage that turns a beautiful crimson in the fall. Its striking color and delicate, lacy leaves make it a popular choice for ornamental gardens.Acer palmatum 'Bloodgood' is a stunning Japanese Maple cultivar renowned for its deep purple foliage and graceful form. It is a small to medium-sized deciduous tree that typically reaches a height of 15 to 20 feet and a spread of 15 to 25 feet. The leaves have a palmate shape with five to seven lobes, and they emerge a vibrant red in spring, mature to dark burgundy in summer, and turn a brilliant scarlet in fall. The tree's elegant silhouette and rich color make it a standout in any landscape or garden.
- Foliage Color: Deep purple, dark burgundy, brilliant scarlet
- Tree Size: 15 to 20 feet tall, 15 to 25 feet wide
- Leaf Shape: Palmate, five to seven lobes
- Growth Habit: Upright, spreading
- Sun Exposure: Partial shade to full sun
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243votesThe 'Emperor I' is a stunning Japanese Maple that features deep purple foliage in the spring and summer, which turns a bright red-orange in the fall. Its compact, upright growth habit makes it a great choice for smaller gardens.Acer palmatum 'Emperor I' is a stunning cultivar of Japanese Maple known for its exquisite foliage and graceful form. This deciduous tree features deeply lobed leaves that emerge in spring with vibrant shades of crimson-red. As the season progresses, the foliage transforms into a rich burgundy, creating a striking contrast against the green landscape. The compact and upright habit of 'Emperor I' makes it a perfect choice for smaller gardens or containers. In autumn, the leaves put on a fiery show, turning radiant shades of orange and gold. This cultivar is highly valued for its exceptional beauty and visual appeal.
- Genus: Acer
- Species: palmatum
- Cultivar: Emperor I
- Leaf Color: Crimson-red (spring), burgundy (summer), orange and gold (autumn)
- Leaf Shape: Deeply lobed
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322votesThe 'Osakazuki' is known for its vibrant red foliage in the fall, which stands out beautifully against a backdrop of greenery. Its leaves are larger than those of many other Japanese Maple varieties, which gives it a bold, dramatic appearance.Acer palmatum 'Osakazuki' is a stunning cultivar of Japanese Maple known for its vibrant autumn foliage.
- Leaf color: Bright crimson
- Leaf shape: Palmate, deeply lobed
- Mature height: Approximately 15-20 feet
- Mature spread: 10-15 feet
- Growth rate: Slow to moderate
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421votesThis variety of Japanese Maple is prized for its stunning foliage, which changes color throughout the year. Its leaves emerge in the spring with a pinkish-orange tint, then turn yellow-green in the summer, and finally become a bright orange-red in the fall.The Acer palmatum 'Katsura' is a stunning Japanese Maple cultivar cherished for its vibrant autumn foliage and graceful form. Its leaves emerge a cheerful orange-red in spring, maturing to a bright green in summer before transforming into a captivating blend of yellow, apricot, and pink in fall. This medium-sized deciduous tree boasts a delicate branching structure, providing an elegant focal point in any garden.
- Type: Deciduous tree
- Mature Height: 15-25 feet
- Mature Width: 15-20 feet
- Growth Rate: Slow to moderate
- Exposure: Partial shade to full sun
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521votesThe 'Sango Kaku' is a beautiful Japanese Maple that is known for its striking coral-colored bark. Its leaves are a light green in the spring and summer, and turn a golden yellow in the fall.The Acer palmatum 'Sango Kaku', also known as Coral Bark Maple, is a stunning Japanese Maple tree that is highly prized for its vivid coral-colored bark. It is a deciduous tree with a rounded shape and bright green leaves in spring and summer. In fall, the foliage turns a brilliant yellow to orange before dropping off, revealing the tree's striking coral-red branches.
- Tree type: Deciduous
- Size: 15-20 feet tall and wide at maturity
- Bark color: Coral-red
- Leaf color: Bright green in spring and summer, turning yellow to orange in fall
- Leaf shape: Palmate (hand-shaped) with pointed lobes
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612votesThe 'Beni Kawa' is a compact Japanese Maple that features bright red foliage in the spring and summer, which turns a deep crimson in the fall. Its small size makes it a great choice for smaller gardens or container planting.Acer palmatum 'Beni Kawa' is an exquisite cultivar of the Japanese Maple tree. Its name, 'Beni Kawa,' translates to 'red river' in Japanese, which perfectly captures the striking feature of its vibrant red bark. This medium-sized deciduous tree is known for its compact and upright growth habit, making it an excellent choice for gardens and landscapes of all sizes. The 'Beni Kawa' cultivar belongs to the Acer palmatum species, which is native to Japan and Korea.
- Bark Color: Vibrant red
- Foliage Color: Green (spring and summer), shades of yellow, orange, and red (fall)
- Growth Habit: Compact and upright
- Size: Medium-sized (typically reaching 10-15 feet in height)
- Leaf Shape: Palmate (hand-shaped), deeply lobed
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716votesThe 'Tamukeyama' is a popular Japanese Maple variety that features deep red, finely cut leaves that give it a delicate, lacy appearance. Its low, spreading growth habit makes it a great choice for groundcover or border planting.Acer palmatum 'Tamukeyama' is a stunning Japanese Maple cultivar known for its exquisite foliage and graceful form. It is a deciduous tree that typically grows up to 8-10 feet tall and wide, forming a compact, domed shape. The deeply dissected leaves emerge in spring with a vibrant crimson-red color, which eventually darkens into a deep reddish-purple during summer. In autumn, 'Tamukeyama' displays a spectacular show of intense crimson red foliage that is truly breathtaking.
- Foliage Color: Crimson-red (spring), reddish-purple (summer), intense crimson red (autumn)
- Mature Size: 8-10 feet tall and wide
- Shape: Compact, domed
- Leaf Type: Deeply dissected
- Growth Rate: Moderate
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817votesThe 'Ukigumo' is a unique Japanese Maple variety that features variegated leaves with pink, white, and green coloring. Its foliage is delicate and airy, giving it a soft, ethereal appearance.The Acer palmatum 'Ukigumo' is a stunning Japanese Maple cultivar known for its delicate and ethereal beauty. Its name translates to 'Floating Cloud' in English, which perfectly captures its unique appearance. The leaves of this cultivar are variegated and display a mesmerizing blend of white, pink, and green colors, creating the illusion of floating clouds among its branches. 'Ukigumo' is highly sought after by garden enthusiasts and collectors worldwide.
- Leaf Color: Variegated white, pink, and green
- Leaf Shape: Palmate, deeply lobed
- Mature Height: 6-10 feet (1.8-3 meters)
- Mature Spread: 4-8 feet (1.2-2.4 meters)
- Growth Rate: Slow to moderate
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911votesThe 'Mikawa Yatsubusa' is a dwarf Japanese Maple that features compact growth and delicate, lacy leaves. Its foliage is a deep green in the summer, and turns a beautiful orange-red in the fall.
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107votes
Andy Mabbett · CC BY-SA 4.0The 'Orange Dream' is a striking Japanese Maple variety that features bright orange foliage in the spring and summer, which turns a deep orange-red in the fall. Its compact growth habit makes it a great choice for smaller gardens or container planting.Acer palmatum 'Orange Dream' is a stunning cultivar of the Japanese Maple tree known for its vibrant orange foliage and unique growth habit. It is a small deciduous tree that typically reaches a height of 8-10 feet and a spread of 6-8 feet. The leaves emerge in spring with bright orange color, gradually turning to a more golden shade during summer, and finally to vibrant orange-red in the fall. The leaves are deeply lobed and have a delicate and lacy appearance, adding a graceful and elegant touch to any garden or landscape.- Foliage Color: Bright orange in spring, golden in summer, and orange-red in fall
- Size: 8-10 feet tall, 6-8 feet wide
- Growth Habit: Unique and slightly weeping
- Leaf Shape: Deeply lobed, delicate and lacy
- Hardiness Zone: 5-9
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Ranking factors for beautiful Japanese Maple
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Leaf shapeThe leaf shape of Japanese maples range from the classic palmate (hand-like) to delicate, lace-like dissectum leaves. By considering leaf shape, you can appreciate the appeal and individuality of each cultivar.
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Growth habitJapanese maple trees can have different growth habits, such as dwarf, weeping, and upright. The unique form and character of each tree contribute to its overall beauty.
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Adaptability and hardinessThe ability of a Japanese maple to thrive in various climates and locations can also contribute to its beauty. Choose a cultivar that is well-suited for your climate and environment to ensure that it thrives and maintains its appearance.
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Maintenance and care requirementsSome Japanese maples may require more care and maintenance than others, particularly when it comes to pruning and ensuring proper growth. The ease of care for a particular cultivar can also be a factor in its overall beauty.
About this ranking
This is a community-based ranking of the most beautiful Japanese Maple. We do our best to provide fair voting, but it is not intended to be exhaustive. So if you notice something or Acer is missing, feel free to help improve the ranking!
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- 240 votes
- 10 ranked items
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Voting Rules
A participant may cast an up or down vote for each Acer once every 24 hours. The rank of each Acer is then calculated from the weighted sum of all up and down votes.
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More information on most beautiful japanese maple
Japanese Maple trees are known for their vibrant colors and intricate leaf patterns, making them a popular choice for ornamental gardens and landscapes. These stunning trees are native to Japan, Korea, and China, and they have been cultivated for centuries for their beauty and aesthetic appeal.
There are over 300 different varieties of Japanese Maple trees, each with its unique features and characteristics. Some of the most popular varieties include the Bloodgood, which has deep red foliage that turns to a vibrant crimson in the fall, and the Coral Bark, which has bright red branches that stand out against the winter snow.
Japanese Maple trees are also popular for their ability to change colors throughout the seasons. In the spring, the leaves emerge in shades of bright green and yellow, while in the fall, they turn to fiery shades of orange, red, and gold.
Whether you're a seasoned gardener or just starting out, a Japanese Maple tree is an excellent choice for adding color and beauty to your outdoor space. With so many stunning varieties to choose from, the only challenge will be deciding which one is the most beautiful.
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