Name: The Plant Company
Address: 284 Meeanee Road, Meeanee, Napier, 4112, New Zealand
Telephone: 0800 843 752
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orange flame japanese maple

The orange flame Japanese maple is a show-stopping ornamental tree that delivers dazzling colour and graceful form for New Zealand gardens. Renowned for its intense orange-red foliage in autumn, this variety creates a fiery focal point, whether planted in a container or as a landscaping centrepiece. If you’re searching for a tree with exceptional seasonal interest and manageable size, the orange flame Japanese maple is a standout selection.

Acer shirasawanum 'Autumn Moon'

Acer shirasawanum 'Autumn Moon' is a standout Japanese maple admired for its glowing apricot and orange toned foliage that brings warmth and vibrancy to New Zealand gardens. New leaves emerge soft yellow and peach before deepening into rich orange with green highlights over summer, then transforming into vivid autumn colours. Its elegant branching and tidy form make it ideal for feature planting, pots, and sheltered courtyards. This variety offers year round appeal and is perfect for gardeners seeking a colourful and refined ornamental tree.

Buy Acer shirasawanum 'Autumn Moon'

From $382.61

Suited to regions: All regions

Plant type: Trees

Height: 5.00 m

Spread: 5.00 m

Garden uses: Parks, Specimen

Garden styles: Alpine, Architectural, Backyard, City & Courtyard, Frontyard, Japanese, Modern

Acer palmatum Hanami Nishiki tree with lush green foliage.

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.

Buy Acer palmatum Hanami Nishiki (Acer Hanami Nishiki)

From $450.68

Suited to regions: All regions

Plant type: Trees

Height: 2.50 m

Spread: 2.50 m

Tolerances: Hardy

Garden uses: Living areas, Parks, Ponds, Specimen

Garden styles: Alpine, Backyard, City & Courtyard, Frontyard, Japanese, Modern

Brilliant Colour and Seasonal Interest

What makes the orange flame Japanese maple truly special is its dramatic colour transition. In spring, leaves often emerge with subtle hints of orange and green, intensifying to vibrant orange and flame-red in autumn. This fiery display transforms your garden’s look and signals the arrival of cooler days. Its finely-lobed leaves add textural elegance, contrasting beautifully with green lawns or darker evergreens.

Ideal Growing Conditions in New Zealand

This Japanese maple thrives in temperate climates and is hardy throughout much of New Zealand. Preferring partial shade, it also tolerates full sun in milder regions, especially with protection from harsh afternoon rays. The orange flame Japanese maple flourishes in well-draining, slightly acidic soil, making it a perfect match for local conditions. Mulching helps retain moisture and keeps roots cool during summer.

Landscaping and Garden Design Uses

With its compact growth habit, the orange flame Japanese maple is ideal for smaller gardens, courtyards, and patios. It shines as a standalone specimen, but also pairs beautifully with other maples and ornamental trees. Try combining it with striking varieties like Acer palmatum Hanami Nishiki (Acer Hanami Nishiki), which offers unique variegated foliage, or Acer shirasawanum 'Autumn Moon', renowned for its warm amber tones. For layered impact, consider adding Acer Esk Sunset (Eskimo Sunset Maple) to create multi-season colour.

In Japanese-inspired landscapes, the orange flame Japanese maple blends seamlessly with pondside plantings, stone paths, and low-growing underplants. It’s also a favourite for bonsai enthusiasts, thanks to its delicate leaves and refined branching.

Care Tips for Success

To keep your orange flame Japanese maple healthy and vibrant, ensure regular watering during dry spells and fertilise with a balanced, slow-release fertiliser in early spring. Pruning is best done in late winter to maintain shape and remove any dead wood. These maples require minimal maintenance once established, provided they’re sheltered from strong winds and extreme heat.

If you’d like to explore more colourful deciduous trees, browse options like Acer 'Orangeola', a weeping maple with striking red-orange foliage, or Acer palmatum pendulum Julian (Acer palmatum dissectum pendulum Julian) for elegant cascading form.

Find Your Orange Flame Japanese Maple

Ready to ignite your garden with fiery autumn colour? The orange flame Japanese maple is a rewarding choice for New Zealand gardeners seeking beauty, resilience, and effortless style. Discover the difference this spectacular tree can make in your outdoor space, and create a landscape you’ll love all year round.

Contact us

Whether you need assistance finding the plant you’re looking for or you simply want to know more about who we are and what we do, we invite you to get in touch with us today. A member of The Plant Company team will get back in touch as soon as possible.