How Many Types of Japanese Maple Trees are There?

There are literally hundreds of different types of Japanese maple trees, but in this article, we will focus on the species as a whole with a feature of the ten most beautiful and popular Japanese maple trees. With the scientific name of Acer palmatum, the Japanese maple trees sport various shapes and colored foliage. According to the Bernheim Arboretum and Forestry Center, it is part of the Sapindaceae family. Each of the different types of Japanese maple trees will make a garden or yard more gorgeous. When it comes to this amazing tree, you will have many different sizes, shapes, and varieties to choose from when you go shopping for one.

The Japanese Maple History

When Japanese maple trees are mature and full grown and if they have been planted in a row along a property line, sidewalk, or even a driveway, they will make great trees to offer you a significant amount of privacy. In the autumn time of the year, the different types of Japanese Maple trees will change colors from bright yellow and orange to very deep reds and more. These amazing trees will definitely add to the beauty of your garden or lawn all year round.

With so many different types of Japanese Maple trees to choose from, you will need to ensure that the type of trees you choose for your yard are compatible with the hardiness zone of your area. They are normally only suited for zones 5 through 8 but some of the hardier trees can withstand areas outside of those zones. Also, Japanese Maple trees enjoy a well-drained soil that is slightly acidic and they do not like being in an area with too much rain or a very dry climate and do not grow and thrive very well if the soil is more alkaline.

On the upside, if you live in an area that does not have the best conditions for a Japanese Maple tree, they can be planted in pots which will afford you the opportunity to control the type of soil you plant your tree in. You can also enjoy one of these trees by potting it if you live in a colder area since you will be able to shelter it easily during the winter months.

What to Keep In Mind

According to Garden Design, you should also keep in mind that if you are going to plant this tree in your yard or garden, you will need to note the size that the tree will grow to reach to be able to ensure that it has enough room to reach its full potential. Japanese Maple trees are very slow growing, but if your yard is really small, you may want to consider one of the dwarf Japanese Maple tree varieties instead of a full-size tree.

Read on for information on the top 10 most popular Japanese Maple trees to grow in your yard, garden, or in landscaping.

1. Bloodgood Japanese Maple Tree

Also known as Acer palmatum Bloodgood, this tree is one of the most popular Japanese Maple trees that are available to you since it features leaves that are deep purple in color that will turn bright red during the autumn months. During the spring, this amazing tree will sport small purple flowers which are then replaced by red fruit in the summertime. This tree will grow and thrive in partial shade and does better and hardiness zones of five to eight.

2. Emperor I Japanese Maple Tree

An upright red tree, the Emperor 1 Japanese Maple tree is a step above the Bloodgood Japanese Maple tree since it is more tolerant of the early spring bouts of frost that can occur and its stunning red fall leaves will last longer than many of the other varieties of Japanese Maple trees. While it is most suitable for hardiness zones of five through eight, some gardeners have been able to grow this amazing type of Japanese Maple tree in a hardiness zone of four. Its red color can go from black-red to a beautiful scarlet during the fall time of the year and the bark of this tree is a very dark color of black-red. This particular tree will definitely add a pop of beautiful color to your yard, landscaping, or garden.

3. Velvet Viking Japanese Maple Tree

The Velvet Viking Japanese Maple Tree will grow and thrive in hardiness zones of four to nine. It boasts very thin and delicate leaves with foliage that is a reddish-purple color during the spring and summer months and colors that are much richer and deeper during the fall. This tree will thrive in partial shade, but if the climate you live in is milder during the hotter months, this tree can actually thrive if it is planted in full sunlight. This tree is part of the dwarf variety of Japanese Maple trees so it is a great option for smaller yards or garden areas. It will only grow to about five feet in height with a width of about two feet. Its canopy, however, can spread out as much as eight feet.

4. Sango-Kaku or Coral Bark Japanese Maple Tree

Also known as Acer palmatum Sango-Kaku or Coral Bark. This amazing tree is a favorite of many gardeners since it is a smaller tree that will grow and thrive in hardiness zones of five through nine. The leaves of this beautiful tree are green but they change to a bright yellow color during the fall each year. The bark of this tree is a very stunning color of red-pink so it really stands out, even during the gray and dreary months of the wintertime.

5. Shaina Japanese Maple Tree

The Shaina Japanese Acer tree is also a dwarf tree that boasts dense foliage when it grows to full maturity. During the springtime of the year, this tree boasts very vibrant red leaves that will become a burgundy color during the summer months and then bright red again during the autumn months. This tree grows well in partial shade and will reach about 10 feet in height and 12 to 14 feet in width. It grows and thrives in hardiness zones of five to nine.

6. Red Dissected Japanese Maple Tree

Also known as the Dissectum Atropurpureum, the red dissected Japanese maple tree is extremely popular because it has a smaller mature size of about 5 to 6 feet tall, so it is great for any size of garden or line. Its sweeping branches add a stunning and elegant look to your garden or lawn area. The leaves of this tree are feathery and red to purple in color. The leaves of this tree will turn an orange-red in the fall time of the year. This tree will grow and thrive in hardiness zones of five to eight and its size makes it a great choice for any front yard or garden area.

7. Ukigumo Japanese Maple Tree

According to the Tree Center, the Ukigumo Japanese Maple Tree has the formal name of Acer palmatum Ukigumo and is often referred to as Floating Cloud. This semi-dense and upright Japanese Maple tree is really stunning due to the transition of its leaves from a highly contrasting pale green and white color to softer pink colors at the tips of each leaf. The white foliage is gorgeous against the green color of lawns and landscaping and it is a great tree to add pops of the colors white and pink throughout the entire summer months. This tree will grow in most soil types and is best grown in hardiness zones of five to nine and in partial shade.

8. Red Dragon Japanese Maple Tree

With the formal and scientific name of Acer palmatum var. dissectum, the Red Dragon Japanese Maple tree is a slower-growing variety when it comes to the family of Japanese Maple trees and this makes it perfect to start outgrowing them in containers. The leaves of this tree will start out as purple in the spring each year but turn blood red by fall. This tree can reach a height of over five feet tall with a spread of about six feet. It will thrive in both full sunlight as well as partial shade and does best in hardiness zones of five to eight.

And there you have it! The top eight most popular Japanese Maple trees that you can choose from for your own yard, garden, or landscaping area. Keep in mind, there are hundreds more to choose from when it comes to the many different types of Japanese Maple trees. Planting a few of these types of trees in your yard will make you the envy of all of your neighbors.