Species

Acer palmatumJapanese Maple

23 other cultivars

tree

Hefner's Red Japanese Maple

Acer palmatum 'Hefner's Red'

$500.00

The Story

Plant Bio

Acer palmatum is a deciduous tree native to East Asia, forming an upright to vase-shaped canopy with palmately lobed leaves. Small reddish-purple flowers bloom in late spring clusters, producing paired winged samaras as seeds ripen.

'Hefner's Red' develops a compact, globe-to-vase form reaching 12 to 18 feet tall, holding deep maroon leaf color through summer heat without fading. Foliage emerges vibrant scarlet in spring and shifts to brilliant fire-engine red before dropping in fall.

Uses & Benefits:

Offers three seasons of foliage color with red spring growth, dark maroon summer leaves, and clear red fall tones.

Non-toxic tree suitable for small gardens and residential borders.

Spring flowers supply pollen and nectar to generalist bees.

SpeciesAcer palmatumJapanese Maple

Essentials

At a Glance

Plant Type

Tree

Height

216"

Width

180"

Light

Full Sun, Partial Sun

Zones

5, 6, 7, 8, 9

Water

Moderate

Humidity

Moderate

Lifespan

Perennial

Native To

East Asia

Toxicity

Non-toxic

Bloom period

Late spring

In flower about 1 month of the year

Marketplace

Where to Buy

Sooner Plant Farm

1+ Gal Pot

In Stock$500.00

Shipping costs Year-round shipping Free shipping

Planting

How to Grow

Select a planting location with organic, acidic to neutral soil that drains rapidly.
Provide afternoon shade in southern zones to protect leaves from scorched margins during hot summers.
Dig a hole twice as wide as the root ball and sit the root flare level with surrounding soil.
Backfill with unamended native soil, water deeply, and apply a 2-inch layer of organic mulch keeping space around the trunk bark.

Pro Tip

Prune only in midsummer or late fall to prevent heavy sap bleeding; cutting into old bare wood delays regrowth.

Keep It Thriving

Care Guide

Do

Keep soil evenly moist, especially during hot summer periods.
Mulch root zones to maintain cool, damp topsoil.
Plant in rich, well-draining soil mixes high in organic material.

Don't

Do not plant in heavy, compacted clay or areas subject to standing water.
Do not prune in late winter or early spring when sap flows heavily.
Do not allow mulch to press directly against the trunk flare.

Seasonal Care Calendar

Task	Jan	Feb	Mar	Apr	May	Jun	Jul	Aug	Sep	Oct	Nov	Dec
Fertilize
Mulch
Pest Check
Prune

Watch Out For

Pests & Diseases

Common Pests

Common Diseases

In the Garden

Landscape Uses & Companions

Landscape Uses

Specimen treeCourtyard focal pointUnderstory woodland border

Companion Plants

Heuchera Hosta Hakonechloa macra Rhododendron

Multiply

Propagation Methods

Good to Know

Common Questions

Hefner's Red Japanese Maple questions

What zones can Hefner's Red Japanese Maple grow in?

Hefner's Red Japanese Maple is hardy in USDA Zones 5–9. Inside that range it survives winter in the ground; outside it, grow it as an annual or a container plant you protect.

Is Hefner's Red Japanese Maple deer resistant?

Not reliably. Deer may browse Hefner's Red Japanese Maple, especially tender spring growth — plan on repellents or fencing where pressure is high.

When does Hefner's Red Japanese Maple bloom?

Hefner's Red Japanese Maple typically blooms in late spring through late spring. Exact timing shifts a week or two with your zone — Sow's bloom calendar maps it to your garden.

Does Hefner's Red Japanese Maple need full sun?

Hefner's Red Japanese Maple does best in full sun to part shade. In hot climates, afternoon shade keeps blooms fresher longer.