Japanese Maple Red Emperor

An exceptional, compact Japanese maple renowned for its outstanding heat tolerance and vibrant season-long interest. Acer palmatum Red Emperor (frequently sold as Emperor I) emerges in Spring with dark reddish-purple, deeply lobed leaves that hold their rich plum colour through the heat of Summer without scorching or fading. As Autumn arrives, the foliage transforms into a brilliant display of fiery crimson and scarlet. Slightly later to leaf out in Spring than other palmatum varieties, it offers superior protection against late frost damage. With its elegant, upright habit, this hardy tree makes a stunning architectural focal point for garden borders, courtyard spaces, or large containers.

Site: Sheltered – avoid a south-facing or windy site
Soil: Moist, moderately fertile, well-drained acid to neutral soil. Dislikes wet or chalky ground
Position: Best in partial shade
Season of interest: Spring through Autumn for striking purple and red foliage display
Hardiness: Fully hardy
Height: 13-16' (4-5m) Spread: 10-13’ (3-4m) in 20 years

Image by Mark Bolin cropped and licensed under CC BY-SA 2.0