We're offering you a 1, 2 or 4 Colour Changing Acer Plants for £6.99, saving you up to 53% off Thompson and Morgan's's price of £14.99 (correct as of 23.09.2025).

Stunning Seasonal Colour

Transform Your Garden with Japanese Maple Acer

Add instant impact to your outdoor space with the Japanese Maple Acer, renowned for its palmately lobed leaves that shift from deep red-purple in spring and summer to fiery crimson in autumn. This deciduous tree from the Acer palmatum family delivers vivid colour changes throughout the seasons and offers elegant form all year round.

Plant Benefits & Key Characteristics

• Seasonal Interest: Enjoy dramatic foliage colour transitions from spring through autumn.
• Compact & Versatile: Slow-growing, rounded habit makes it perfect for patios, small gardens, and urban spaces.
• Bonsai Potential: Its elegant structure and manageable size make it an excellent choice for bonsai projects.
• Spring Appeal: Tiny purple flowers appear in early spring, adding subtle charm before the foliage fully emerges.

Growing Guide

• Position: Prefers partial shade but tolerates light sun; protect from harsh midday rays to prevent leaf scorch.
• Soil: Grows best in moist, well-drained, slightly acidic soil (pH 5.5–6.5). Avoid chalky or alkaline soils.
• Hardiness: Hardy throughout the UK (USDA zones 5–8), making it suitable for most gardens.
• Mature Size: Typically reaches up to 1.5–2m (5–6.5ft) tall and wide over many years.

Planting & Care Tips

• When to Plant: Best planted in autumn or early spring while dormant.
• Caring: Water regularly during dry spells; mulch annually with organic matter to retain moisture and suppress weeds.
• Pruning: Minimal pruning needed; shape lightly in late winter if desired. Remove any dead or crossing branches.
• Feeding: Use an ericaceous fertiliser in spring if soil is not naturally acidic.

Design Ideas & Companion Plants

• Acer palmatum's compact size makes it ideal as a focal point in containers or borders.
• Create stunning contrasts by pairing with hostas, ferns, or azaleas which share similar soil preferences.
• Add underplanting with spring bulbs like snowdrops or bluebells for layered seasonal displays.

FAQs

• When is the best time to plant my Japanese Maple Acer?
  The best time is autumn or early spring when the tree is dormant and soil is workable.
• How fast does this Acer grow?
  This variety is slow-growing, typically adding around 15–30cm per year under optimal conditions.
• What type of soil does it prefer?
  Acer palmatum prefers moist, well-drained, slightly acidic soils. Avoid heavy clay or very alkaline soils for best results.