Also known as Maple · 2.7k gardener saves
Acer: the varieties gardeners actually grow
Acer, the genus most gardeners know as maple. We track 79 varieties; these are the ones gardeners actually save and plant, ranked by real saves rather than catalog marketing. Each links to full care, bloom, and live price data.
The 12 most-saved Acer varieties
Of 79 in the catalog — ordered by how many gardeners actually grow them.
#1 most savedBloodgood Japanese Maple
Acer palmatum 'Bloodgood'
#2 most savedOrangeola Japanese Maple
Acer palmatum 'Orangeola'
#3 most savedCrimson Queen Japanese Maple
Acer palmatum 'Crimson Queen'
Weeping Japanese Maple
Acer palmatum 'Shidare'
Coral Bark Maple
Acer palmatum 'Sango-Kaku'
Final Fire Japanese Maple
Acer palmatum 'Final Fire'
Esk Sunset Japanese Maple
Acer palmatum 'Esk Sunset'
Purple Cutleaf Japanese Maple
Acer palmatum 'Dissectum Atropurpureum'
Ice Dragon Japanese Maple
Acer palmatum 'Ice Dragon'
Elegans Japanese Maple
Acer palmatum 'Elegans'
Japanese Maple North Wind
Acer palmatum 'North Wind'
Red Dragon Japanese Maple
Acer palmatum 'Red Dragon'
Browse all 79 Acer varieties →
How to grow Acer
What the Acer varieties in our catalog actually agree on — drawn from the care records of the 40 most-grown of them, not from a generic template.
The Acer year
- PruneJanuary and February100% of varieties
Prune in mid-summer to avoid heavy sap bleeding. Remove dead or damaged wood.
- MulchMarch, April and October73% of varieties
Maintain a 3-inch layer of mulch over the root zone.
- FertilizeMarch57% of varieties
Apply a light, slow-release fertilizer only if growth is weak.
- Check for PestsMay–July48% of varieties
Monitor for aphids, scale, and signs of verticillium wilt.
- PlantFebruary, March, April, September and October43% of varieties
Plant in spring or fall to allow roots to establish.
Do
- Water consistently to keep soil moist but not waterlogged 🌱
- Water regularly to keep soil moist but not waterlogged 🌱
- Mulch to conserve moisture and suppress weeds
- Maintain a large, mulch-covered, turf-free area around the base.
- Prune to develop a strong structure when the tree is young.
Avoid
- Avoid overwatering to prevent root rot ❌
- Avoid overwatering, which can lead to root rot ❌
- Refrain from heavy pruning during the growing season
- Avoid overwatering which can cause root rot ❌
What goes wrong with Acer
| Problem | What you'll see | What to do |
|---|---|---|
| Aphids | Sticky honeydew on leaves, clusters of small insects on new growth. | A strong jet of water can dislodge them. Use insecticidal soap. Encourage natural predators like ladybugs. |
| Scale insects | Bumpy or waxy coating on stems and leaves | Apply horticultural oil during winter dormancy |
| Scale Insects | Small, immobile bumps on stems and branches, often accompanied by sooty mold. | Scrub off light infestations. Apply dormant horticultural oil in late winter. Use systemic insecticides for heavy infestations. |
| Maple Petiole Borer | Sudden, alarming drop of healthy green leaves in late spring, with the petiole (leaf stalk) severed. | No chemical control is needed or effective. The damage is cosmetic and does not harm the long-term health of the tree. |
| Verticillium Wilt | Sudden wilting and death of branches, often on one side of the tree. | No chemical cure exists. Prune out dead branches and provide optimal care to boost tree vigor. |
| Verticillium wilt | Wilting and browning leaves, dieback | Ensure proper drainage and avoid overwatering |
| Tar Spot | Large, black, tar-like spots on leaves in late summer. Mostly cosmetic. | Rake up and destroy fallen leaves in autumn to reduce fungal spores for the next season. Fungicides are not usually necessary. |
Making more Acer
Cuttings
- Take semi-hardwood cuttings in late summer.
- Dip cut ends in rooting hormone.
- Plant in moist, well-draining mix.
- Maintain high humidity with plastic cover.
- Rooting occurs in 6-8 weeks.
Grafting
- Cultivars are typically budded or grafted onto seedling rootstock.
- Collect scion wood from the desired cultivar in winter.
- Perform a whip-and-tongue graft in late winter.
- Wrap the union securely and store until callusing occurs.
Acer questions
How many types of Acer are there?
The Sow catalog tracks 79 distinct Acer varieties. The most popular — ranked by 2.7k real gardener saves — are shown first above.
What zones does Acer grow in?
Across its varieties, Acer covers USDA Zones 4–10. Individual varieties differ — each plant page lists its exact range, and Sow filters the catalog to your zone automatically.
When does Acer bloom?
Most Acer varieties bloom in spring, early spring, late spring. Staggering early, mid, and late varieties extends the genus's season in one bed.
Which Acer should I choose?
Start from the most-saved varieties above — popularity across thousands of gardens is a strong signal of reliability — then filter by your zone and sun. In the Sow app you can preview any of them in a photo of your actual yard before you buy.
Keep exploring
Acer shows up in
By hardiness zone
Design with Acer in your own yard
Snap a photo of your space and see these varieties planted in it — sized correctly, matched to your zone, with care reminders included.
