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young japanese maple

A young Japanese maple is a spectacular addition to any New Zealand garden, celebrated for its delicate leaves, graceful shape, and seasonal colour transitions. As a small, ornamental tree, the young Japanese maple is ideal for borders, patios, or even as a container feature. Not only are these saplings exceptionally beautiful, but they also bring a sense of tranquility and elegance to outdoor spaces, thriving in New Zealand’s temperate climate. Below, discover how to choose, plant, and care for your young Japanese maple and explore some exceptional varieties for your garden.

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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.

Suited to regions: All regions
Plant type: Trees
Height: 3.00 m
Spread: 2.00 m
Garden uses: Living areas, Parks, Specimen
Garden styles: Alpine, Architectural, Backyard, City & Courtyard, Frontyard, Japanese, Modern
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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.

Suited to regions: All regions
Plant type: Trees
Height: 6.00 m
Spread: 4.00 m
Tolerances: Hardy
Garden uses: Parks, Ponds, Specimen
Garden styles: Alpine, Backyard, City & Courtyard, Frontyard, Japanese, Modern
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Acer palmatum Fjellheim (Fjellheim Japanese Maple)

Acer palmatum Fjellheim is an impressive Japanese Maple featuring a rich display of delicate foliage held on colourful stems. Leaves on this small...

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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...

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Acer 'Shaina' small and round trees with elegant, dark red-purple foliage.

Acer palmatum 'Shaina'

Acer palmatum 'Shaina' is a compact Japanese maple prized for its intense crimson red foliage and naturally tidy upright habit. This deciduous tree...

From$382.61
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Acer Esk Sunset (Eskimo Sunset Maple)

Acer pseudoplatanus Esk Sunset, commonly known as the Eskimo Sunset Sycamore Maple, is grown for its rich and colourful foliage. The lush leaves on...

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Acer palmatum dissectum 'Stella Rossa' tree with fine, dark purple foliage.

Acer Stella Rossa

Acer palmatum dissectum 'Stella Rossa' is an impressive, small Japanese Maple which features a rich display of interestingly coloured, weeping...

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Acer palmatum Atropurpureum elegant specimen tree.

Acer palmatum Atropurpureum

Acer palmatum Atropurpureum is one of the most popular Japanese maples, prized for its deep purple red foliage and elegant branching habit. This...

From$124.13
Acer palmatum stunning specimen tree.

Acer palmatum

Acer palmatum (Japanese Maple) is a classic ornamental tree treasured for its finely cut foliage, graceful form, and stunning seasonal colour. This...

From$450.68
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Acer Amoenum (Acer palmatum Amoenum)

Acer palmatum Amoenum is a variety of the commonly known, Japanese Maple, and is grown for its rich display of colourful foliage. Leaves on this...

From$391.14
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Acer palmatum dissectum Tamukeyama

Acer palmatum dissectum Tamukeyama is a variety of Japanese Maple that features a rich display of colourful, weeping foliage. The finely cut leaves...

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Acer palmatum 'Osakazuki'

Acer palmatum 'Osakazuki' is a highly regarded Japanese maple famous for producing some of the most intense scarlet red autumn colour of any maple...

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Acer palmatum 'Crimson Princess' tree with fine green foliage tinged with purple.

Acer 'Crimson Princess'

Acer palmatum 'Crimson Princess' is a stunning Japanese maple known for its deeply cut, cascading burgundy foliage that intensifies through the...

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Acer shirasawanum 'Autumn Moon' tree in a garden.

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...

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Acer palmatum 'Bloodgood' specimen tree with colourful dark red foliage.

Acer palmatum 'Bloodgood'

Acer palmatum 'Bloodgood' (Bloodgood Japanese Maple) is one of the most reliable and popular Japanese maples, valued for its deep red foliage and...

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Acer 'Burgundy Lace' specimen tree with purple foliage.

Acer palmatum 'Burgundy Lace'

Acer palmatum 'Burgundy Lace' is a refined Japanese maple admired for its finely dissected deep burgundy foliage and graceful weeping form. This...

From$450.68
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Acer palmatum Ukon

Acer palmatum 'Ukon' is a distinctive Japanese Maple admired for its unusual lime green foliage that brings fresh colour to the garden. New leaves...

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Acer palmatum 'Crimson Queen' specimen tree with purple-red cascading foliage.

Acer palmatum 'Crimson Queen'

Acer palmatum 'Crimson Queen' is a highly admired weeping Japanese maple known for its finely dissected burgundy foliage that retains rich colour...

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Acer 'Asahi Zuru' green and white variegated foliage.

Acer 'Asahi Zuru'

Acer 'Asahi Zuru' is a stunning Japanese Maple known for its delicate, variegated leaves that blend pink, white, and green tones. In autumn, the...

From$33.68
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Acer palmatum 'Ukigumo'

Acer palmatum 'Ukigumo' is a rare and highly ornamental Japanese Maple treasured for its striking white and pink variegated foliage. Often called the...

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Acer palmatum Seiryu

Acer palmatum dissectum Seiryu is a Japanese Maple that features a rich display of colourful and delicate foliage. The finely cut leaves emerge lime...

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Acer negundo 'Violaceum'

Acer negundo 'Violaceum' is an attractive deciduous maple valued for its distinctive purple tinted young growth and fresh green foliage. The new...

From$450.68
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Acer 'Shindeshojo'

Acer 'Shindeshojo' is a spectacular Japanese Maple celebrated for its brilliant bright red foliage in early spring. The vivid colour gradually...

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Acer palmatum 'Beni Otake'

Acer palmatum 'Beni Otake' is a striking Japanese Maple admired for its narrow strap like deep red foliage that creates a bold architectural effect...

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Acer 'Mikawa Yatsubusa' specimen tree with lush, green foliage.

Acer palmatum 'Mikawa Yatsubusa'

Acer palmatum 'Mikawa Yatsubusa' is a sought-after dwarf Japanese Maple prized for its dense, layered foliage and elegant form. Its small...

From$158.89
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Acer palmatum 'Shirazz'

Acer palmatum 'Shirazz' is a stunning variegated Japanese Maple admired for its rich purple red foliage edged with soft pink. The colourful leaves...

From$158.89
Acer palmatum 'Red Emperor' specimen tree in a mixed planting.

Acer 'Red Emperor'

Acer 'Red Emperor' is a striking Japanese maple valued for its rich deep red foliage and strong upright form. This deciduous tree performs...

From$391.14
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Acer palmatum 'Trompenburg'

Acer palmatum 'Trompenburg' is a striking Japanese Maple admired for its deeply cut rich purple red foliage and distinctive curled leaf edges. The...

From$450.68
An Acer 'Katsura' specimen tree with orange and green foliage.

Acer 'Katsura'

Acer 'Katsura' is a stunning Japanese maple known for its brilliant apricot orange spring foliage that matures to fresh green before turning vibrant...

From$382.61
Acer palmatum 'Fireglow' bright red foliage.

Acer 'Fireglow'

Acer 'Fireglow' is a striking Japanese maple prized for its brilliant deep red foliage that holds colour exceptionally well throughout the season...

From$391.14
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Acer palmatum pendulum Julian (Acer palmatum dissectum pendulum Julian)

Acer palmatum pendulum Julian is an impressive Japanese Maple that features a rich display of interestingly coloured, weeping foliage. The finely cut...

From$391.14
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Acer palmatum dissectum Viridis

Acer palmatum dissectum Viridis is a variety of Weeping Japanese Maple (Laceleaf), that features a rich display of delicate, weeping foliage. The...

From$391.14
Acer Skeeters Broom (Skeeters Broom Acer)

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Search young japanese maple

Why Choose a Young Japanese Maple?

Starting with a young Japanese maple offers gardeners the opportunity to enjoy the full lifecycle of this graceful tree and shape it as it grows. Young trees establish quickly, adapt to their surroundings, and are easier to manage in garden layouts or pots. With their slow to moderate growth rate, these maples suit almost any landscape style, from formal courtyards to natural woodland settings.

Popular Varieties for Your Garden

Selecting the right variety is key to enjoying unique leaf shapes and colour displays throughout the year. Some gardeners are captivated by deeply lobed foliage and cascading branches, while others prefer upright growth and fiery autumn hues. Here are highly sought-after options:

Planting and Growing Tips

To ensure your young Japanese maple thrives, choose a site with dappled sunlight or morning sun and afternoon shade, which helps prevent leaf scorch. Well-drained soil rich in organic matter supports healthy root development, while an annual mulch layer helps retain moisture and regulate soil temperature. Shelter your young tree from strong winds, and water regularly until well-established.

As your young Japanese maple grows, minimal pruning is required—simply remove any damaged branches in late winter. Use slow-release fertiliser in early spring to encourage lush leaf growth, but avoid overfeeding, which can reduce autumn colouring.

Enhancing Your Garden with Japanese Maples

A young Japanese maple is an investment in years of natural beauty and seasonal flair. Whether you favour the dramatic leaves of Acer palmatum dissectum Atropurpureum (Dissectum atropurpureum Japanese Maple) or the vivid stems of Acer palmatum Senkaki (Acer Senkaki), there is a variety to complement every style. Explore our premium selection and start growing a living work of art in your landscape.


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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.

–The Plant Company

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