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 Skeeters Broom (Skeeters Broom Acer)
Acer palmatum Skeeters Broom is an impressive, small, Japanese Maple featuring a rich display of colourful foliage. New leaves emerge bright red in spring, age to a rich purple-red through summer, then turn scarlet red in autumn before falling. The foliage is held densely off upright stems and it typically grows to 3 m tall and 2 m wide. Acer Skeeters Broom is a magnificent specimen that is perfect for adding to a mixed planting, growing as a specimen, planting around outdoor living areas, or using as a backdrop for smaller plants.
From $438.39
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
