best japanese maple
Searching for the best Japanese maple for your New Zealand garden? Whether you’re after a statement specimen tree or a textural feature for a shady courtyard, Japanese maples (Acer palmatum) are renowned for their graceful habit, stunning autumn colour, and year-round interest. From compact varieties ideal for pots to cascading forms that add drama to borders, there’s a perfect Japanese maple to transform your landscape. We share expert tips on choosing the best Japanese maple for Kiwi conditions and highlight standout varieties that thrive locally.
Acer palmatum Senkaki (Acer Senkaki)
Acer palmatum Senkaki is a stunning Japanese Maple or Coral Bark Maple due to its striking and delicate foliage. Small, soft looking leaves emerge yellow-green in spring with reddish margins. They mature to a light green in summer before turning spectacular shades of yellow in autumn before falling. It grows with an upright and vase shape to about 6 m tall and 4 m wide. Acer Senkaki makes for a magnificent specimen and is ideal for including in a mixed planting, planting to soften a bland wall, maintaining in a container or courtyard garden, planting to border an entrance, or for using anywhere the spectacular colours can be enjoyed.
From $382.61
Acer palmatum Hanami Nishiki (Acer Hanami Nishiki)
Acer palmatum Hanami Nishiki is a stunning Japanese Maple due to its delicate foliage and small stature. Small and soft looking leaves emerge yellow-green in spring with reddish margins. They mature to a light green in summer before turning spectacular shades of yellow and orange in autumn before falling. It grows with a somewhat rounded shape to about 2.5 m tall and the same wide. Acer Hanami Nishiki makes for a magnificent specimen and is ideal for including in a mixed planting, planting to soften a bland wall, maintaining in a container or courtyard garden, planting to border an entrance, or for using anywhere the spectacular colours can be enjoyed.
