Species

23 other cultivars

tree

Japanese Maple

Q: What zones can Japanese Maple grow in?

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.

Q: Is Japanese Maple deer resistant?

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

Q: When does Japanese Maple bloom?

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

Q: Does Japanese Maple need full sun?

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

Acer palmatum 'Wildfire'

$60.00

The Story

Plant Bio

Acer palmatum is a slow-growing deciduous tree native to East Asia, valued for its fine foliage and vibrant fall color. It prefers moist, well-drained, organically rich soils and shelter from drying winds and hot afternoon sun.

'Wildfire' is selected for its brilliant coral-red bark and young twigs that stand out sharply against the winter landscape. Its light green spring leaves turn shades of golden-yellow and bronze-red in fall.

Uses & Benefits:

Provides multi-season landscape interest with light green spring foliage, bronze-red fall leaves, and vivid coral-red winter bark.

Compact dimensions make it suitable for smaller suburban lots and urban courtyard gardens.

Small spring flowers offer nectar for early-season bees and beneficial insects.

SpeciesAcer palmatumJapanese Maple

Essentials

At a Glance

Plant Type

Tree

Height

180"

Width

144"

Light

Full Sun, Partial Sun

Zones

5, 6, 7, 8, 9

Water

Moderate

Humidity

Moderate

Lifespan

Long-lived

Native To

Asia

Toxicity

Non-toxic

Bloom period

Spring

In flower about 3 months of the year

Marketplace

Where to Buy

Dancing Oaks

<1 Gal Pot

In Stock$60.00

Shipping costs Year-round shipping Free shipping

Planting

How to Grow

Choose a sheltered site with fertile, well-draining soil protected from harsh afternoon sun.
Dig a planting hole twice as wide as the root ball and at the same depth.
Position the tree so the graft union sits slightly above the soil line, backfilling with native soil.
Water thoroughly and apply a 3-inch layer of organic mulch, keeping it clear of the trunk.

Pro Tip

Prune only in late fall or mid-winter while fully dormant, as spring pruning causes heavy sap bleeding that weakens the tree.

Keep It Thriving

Care Guide

Do

Keep soil consistently moist, especially during hot summer periods.
Mulch root zones heavily to regulate soil temperature and conserve moisture.
Position plants where they receive morning sun and afternoon shade.

Don't

Never prune during spring or summer when active sap flow causes heavy bleeding.
Do not allow soil to become waterlogged or suffer prolonged standing water.
Avoid cutting back into old leafless wood that lacks active bud sites.

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 plantingCourtyard gardenUnderstory plantingContainer garden

Companion Plants

Heuchera Hosta Hakonechloa macra Rhododendron Astilbe

Multiply

Propagation Methods

Good to Know

Common Questions

Japanese Maple questions

What zones can Japanese Maple grow in?

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 Japanese Maple deer resistant?

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

When does Japanese Maple bloom?

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

Does Japanese Maple need full sun?

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