If you’re a gardening enthusiast, you probably already know the charm and beauty of Japanese maples. But have you ever considered adding their dwarf varieties to your garden? These small wonders may be petite in size, but they pack a punch when it comes to impact and visual appeal. In this article, we’ll reveal 17 of the best dwarf Japanese maple varieties that will surely capture your attention.
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1. Crimson Queen
‘Crimson Queen’ is undeniably one of the most popular dwarf Japanese maples out there, and it’s not hard to see why. This compact beauty has a dramatically weeping form that requires little to no pruning. Its striking red foliage and heavily serrated, palmate leaves give it a regal appearance. You can easily bring home a two- to three-foot-tall ‘Crimson Queen’ tree from Nature Hills Nursery.
2. Elizabeth
Named after the wife of the Japanese maple breeder Skeeter Rod, ‘Elizabeth’ is a unique A. palmatum cultivar that undergoes a stunning transformation throughout the seasons. Its leaves start as bright red in the spring, change to lime green and red in the summer, and finally turn vibrant scarlet in the fall. This upright, slow-growing variety is available in one- and three-gallon containers from Maple Ridge Nursery.
3. Fireball
If you live in Zone 4b and struggle to find Japanese maples that thrive in colder climates, ‘Fireball’ is the answer. This unique cultivar, discovered as a witches’-broom in New Jersey, features bright red leaves with a distinct five-lobed shape. It grows upright and reaches a manageable height of five feet and a width of three feet in about 15 years. You can find ‘Fireball’ trees in one- and three-gallon containers at Maple Ridge Nursery.
4. Germaine’s Gyration
‘Germaine’s Gyration’ is a true showstopper with its contorted branches and classic Japanese maple foliage. This tree grows up to seven feet tall and 12 feet wide, showcasing bright green leaves trimmed in burgundy during the spring and summer. In the fall, the foliage transforms into a vibrant orange with hints of red and yellow. You can find this unique variety at Fast Growing Trees.
5. Inaba Shidare
With its bright red, deeply lobed leaves that resemble strips of red lace, ‘Inaba Shidare’ is an absolute beauty. This weeping cultivar grows to about eight feet tall and spreads up to twice its width. It’s also a relatively quick grower, so you won’t have to wait long to enjoy its full display. To add ‘Inaba Shidare’ to your garden, head over to Maple Ridge Nursery.
6. Jeddeloh Orange
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If you want to add a pop of orange to your garden, ‘Jeddeloh Orange’ is the perfect choice. This weeping Japanese maple grows to about eight feet tall and five feet wide, showcasing lacy, serrated leaves that start the year with a pleasant orange hue and transition to green with orange highlights in the summer. In the fall, the leaves turn a brilliant orange-gold. You can find this variety at Nature Hills Nursery.
7. Karasugawa
‘Karasugawa’ is a dramatic Japanese maple cultivar known for its color-changing foliage. In the early spring, the leaves are pink before transitioning to white, with speckles and streaks of white on a pink base. By fall, the entire leaf turns bright red. This variety requires some care, as it burns in full sunlight and only grows in Zones 5b to 8. However, its impressive show throughout three seasons makes it well worth the effort. Find ‘Karasugawa’ at Nature Hills Nursery.
8. Orion
If you’re a fan of celestial beauty, ‘Orion’ is the dwarf Japanese maple for you. This weeping variety grows to about four feet tall and seven feet wide within 15 years. Its beautiful, deeply lobed leaves start the year in solid, bright red, develop red margins and orange and copper-green veins in the summer, and finally turn bright orange in the fall. You can find ‘Orion’ trees in one- and three-gallon containers at Maple Ridge Nursery.
9. Red Filigree Lace
For those who appreciate delicate and finely cut leaves, ‘Red Filigree Lace’ is a must-have. Each heavily serrated leaf is thin and heavily serrated, resembling red threads dangling from a weeping tree. This variety reaches a height of four feet and a width of five feet within 15 years. Unlike some red maples, it retains its vibrant color even in partial shade. Get a ‘Red Filigree Lace’ tree in a one- or three-gallon container from Maple Ridge Nursery.
10. Rhode Island Red
If you love the popular ‘Bloodgood’ cultivar but prefer a smaller size, ‘Rhode Island Red’ is the perfect alternative. This cultivar features crimson red leaves that transition to burgundy in the summer and return to bright red in the fall. It grows to about six feet tall with particularly large, simple palmate foliage. You can purchase ‘Rhode Island Red’ from Japanese Maples and Evergreens.
11. Ryusen
‘Ryusen’ is a truly distinctive Japanese maple variety that stands out with its unique growth habit. It grows up to eight feet tall but only spreads a few feet wide. The branches start by growing up before gracefully arching down, creating a stunning waterfall effect. You can train it over an arbor or feature it as an espalier. In the fall, the green palmate leaves turn a soft reddish-orange. Bring home a ‘Ryusen’ tree from Japanese Maple and Evergreens.
12. Skeeter’s Broom
Bred from a witch’s broom found on the popular ‘Bloodgood,’ ‘Skeeter’s Broom’ has a narrow, upright growth habit. It features bushy and dense foliage that starts out red in the spring, turns purple in the summer, and becomes brighter red in the fall. This petite cultivar tops out at about six feet tall and three to four feet wide. Visit Nature Hills Nursery to get your hands on a two- to three-foot ‘Skeeter’s Broom’ tree.
13. Spring Delight
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True to its name, ‘Spring Delight’ is a Japanese maple cultivar that brings joy with its vibrant neon green foliage tipped in bright crimson. As the seasons change, the leaves transition to yellow and orange. This tree has a graceful, weeping habit that enhances its unique coloring. You can find ‘Spring Delight’ trees in one- and three-gallon containers at Maple Ridge Nursery.
14. Summer Gold
While most Japanese maples fade to a more subdued color in the heat of summer, ‘Summer Gold’ shines bright with its vibrant yellow-gold leaves. This upright cultivar features green leaves with a red border in the spring, transitioning to a golden hue in the summer. In the fall, the tree dazzles with bright, flaming reddish-orange foliage. Pick up a tree from Maple Ridge Nursery.
15. Tamukeyama
‘Tamukeyama’ is a classic and popular Japanese maple variety known for its heat tolerance, vigor, and hardiness. It showcases burgundy leaves in the spring and summer, turning bright crimson in the fall. This weeping type stays under eight feet tall, making it a long-standing favorite among gardeners. Purchase a ‘Tamukeyama’ tree from Fast Growing Trees.
16. Viridis
If you’re looking for a truly head-turning Japanese maple, ‘Viridis’ is the one for you. Its bright chartreuse leaves and cascading form make it stand out among other varieties. In the fall, the leaves turn golden-yellow and orange, creating a magical display. You can add a practically mature three- to four-foot-tall ‘Viridis’ tree to your garden or pot by visiting Fast Growing Trees.
17. Waterfall
‘Waterfall’ lives up to its name with its pendulous, weeping form that resembles a flowing waterfall. This variety can eventually grow up to 12 feet tall, but after 10 years, most have reached about five feet. Its large green leaves turn orange in the fall, adding a touch of beauty to any landscape. ‘Waterfall’ is an excellent choice for container gardening as well. Get a two- to three-foot-tall tree from Fast Growing Trees.
Small But Impactful
Dwarf Japanese maples may be small, but they have the power to make a big impact in your garden. Whether you pair them with other plants or let them shine on their own, these petite wonders will surely draw attention. So, which variety catches your eye? Share your plans and preferences below. And if you want to continue your Japanese maple journey, check out our guides on how to grow, prune, and choose the best varieties.
- How to Grow Japanese Maple Trees
- 11 of the Best Red Japanese Maples for Your Garden
- How and When to Prune Japanese Maples
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Category: Gardening