Acer palmatum 'Atropurpureum'

Red-leaf Japanese maple is a small, 25-foot-tall tree in the maple family (Sapindaceae) with striking purple leaves that turn red in autumn. This plant is one of the most commercially valuable landscape trees because of its dramatic leaf characteristics. Japanese maple parent plants are native to southeast Korea and central and south Japan. The epithet palmatum means shaped like a hand, referring to the leaves. This variety name refers to the red/purple leaf color and is used for many red-leaved seedlings.

Typically the leaves turn red/purple in spring, but may fade to a green/bronze in summer heat. This slow-growing tree will remain quite small in colder climates (USDA zone 5). In warmer areas, it will benefit from afternoon shade and may need extra moisture if grown in full sun. Plant as a specimen or woodland tree in acid to neutral well-drained soil.

Insects, Diseases, and Other Plant Problems:  Aphids, scale, maple worms, leafrollers, and leafhoppers are occasional pests. Anthracnose, leaf scorch, and frost damage, especially from late frosts, can occur.  It self-seeds easily so can spread and become weedy in the landscape. See potential insect and disease problem fact sheets to the left.

The Clemson Cooperative Extension Home and Garden Information Center has a factsheet on common maple diseases and insect pests.

VIDEO created by Andy Pulte for “Landscape Plant Identification, Taxonomy and Morphology” a plant identification course offered by the Department of Plant Sciences, University of Tennessee.

More information on Acer palmatum.