Topiary Gardens

Acer Palmatum ‘Royale’ Japanese Maple

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Acer Palmatum ‘Royale’ Japanese Maple

Royale Japanese maple is a dwarf acer palmatum with small, tightly-bunched leaves that have short lobes. The is a witches broom from NJ. As a result, the central lobe on each leaf is stubby and rounded, rather than long and pointy like most Japanese maples.

leaves of Royale Japanese maple

Royale Japanese Maple Color

What makes Royale such a beautiful specimen that stands out among other dwarf red maples? The color! You’ll never get bored with one shade of red if you have this tree. Each leaf seems to have a slightly different hue. While they’re all variations of red, some tend towards pink, red plum or dusty cranberry. We took the photo below in the spring.

Royale dwarf Japanese maple leaf color

The unique spring color of this tree pairs exquisitely with blue or golden hastas as you can see here.

companion plants

Leaf color in full sun

Plant Royale in full sun if you want the best reds. While the color is slightly more vibrant in full sun, you won’t see the subtle pinkish variations that come with shadier locations.

Royale Japanese maple leaves in full sun

Leaf color in shade

I prefer the colors that emerge when you plant this tree in part shade. It doesn’t seem to green as much as other maples. Instead, the color fades slightly, revealing more pinks and oranges. In some cases it may pick up a subtle yellow hint near the center. It certainly stands out in the garden if you have a few other red maples nearby that tend to be more ruby and crimson.

Royale maple leaves in the shade

In the fall, the tree glows a vivid fire truck red.

fall leaf color

Royale: size, habit & hardiness

Like most dwarf maples, Royale will remain a manageable size around 5′ tall x 3′ wide in 10 years. The tree is fully hardy to -20 degrees, which corresponds to USDA zone 5. It’s best to plant the tree in sun/part shade in well-drained soil.

Just look at our gorgeous specimen tree below. Doesn’t it take your breath away? It naturally grows like a little bonsai.

Royale Japanese maple habit

This maple is slow growing, and it forms a lovely, dense rounded globe shape that’s perfect for small patios and containers. It also looks magnificent layered into a landscape. It also makes an excellent accent plant beneath trees with larger habits.

Buy Royale Japanese Maple

You can purchase Royale from our online store here. If the tree is sold out, please send us an email as soon as possible so we can accommodate your order next spring. We’re always grafting new maples for our customers, and we can special order larger specimens upon request.

‘Hana Matoi’ Japanese Maple – Acer Palmatum Dissectum

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‘Hana Matoi’ Japanese Maple – Acer Palmatum Dissectum

Hana matoi Japanese maple is a stunning variegated acer palmatum dissectum. It has gorgeous multi-colored foliage that changes by season and sun exposure. This weeping maple is a show stopper in smaller gardens because of its constantly shifting color and lacy texture.

hana matoi japanese maple

Cultivar Origin

Yutaka Tanaka of Tsukasa Nursery in Japan introduced acer palmatum Hana matoi. Since then, collectors around the world have prized this tree for its brilliant show of color throughout the season. The name translates as ‘flower mark’.

pink and red leaves on hana matoi japanese maple

Hana Matoi Japanese Maple Leaves

Like most variegated maples, Hana matoi will color differently depending upon the type and amount of sun exposure. Fortunately, this tree can handle direct sun as well as full shade.

Sun vs Shade

If you plant Hana matoi in full sun, the leaves will burst with vibrant crimson tones and flashes of hot pink. The inner, more shaded leaves will be olive with pale pink variegation. If you have this tree in full sun, pinks and reds will fade to greens more quickly.

hana matoi pink japanese maple leaves in the sun

However, if you plant Hana matoi in full shade, you’ll be rewarded with swirls of pale pinks and whites over a flush of deep green. Additionally, the pink tones last a bit longer in the shade.

hana matoi maple leaves in the shade

Spring Color of Hana Matoi Japanese Maple

Saturated hues of fuchsia, pale pink and green unfurl as the tree begins to leaf out in the spring. Variegation seems to hold well throughout the season, and the tree doesn’t revert like some other cultivars.

hana matoi japanese maple spring color

Fall Color of Hana Matoi Japanese Maple

In the fall, Hana matoi is a vibrant flaming red with pink undertones due to the variegation.

hana matoi fall color
hana matoi japanese maple fall color
hana matoi acer palmatum fall color

Bark Coloration

New growth is often bright pink, transitioning to deep red. Then, as summer approaches, red bark becomes more brown. Older wood has a yellow-green cast. Depending upon the rootstock, the trunk can may be bright green, adding more interest to the tree.

Size, Habit, Hardiness

Acer palmatum Hana matoi is a somewhat slow growing Japanese maple. It will reach about 3 feet wide in 10 years. It produces a low mounding, cascading umbrella. So, if you want a taller version, you’ll need to find one that’s grafted on a tall standard rootstock.

hana matoi growing habit

Most variegated maples require some shelter from the sun, and tend to be less hardy. However, Hana matoi is stronger, and will do well in ZONES 5-9.

Other Variegated Japanese Maples

If you love acer palmatum Hana matoi, check out these other variegated dissectum maples. If we’re sold out, place an order for next year and we’ll get the size you want.

Buy Hana Matoi

Inventory moves quickly in the spring. So, if we are sold out of this tree, or you’d like to purchase a larger specimen than what we have listed, just send us an email. We frequently have, or can get, trees that aren’t listed in our website store. View our inventory here.

Topiary Gardens Tour

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Topiary Gardens Tour

We don’t just sell amazing Japanese maples, exotic conifers and rare plants, we’re also landscapers. We’ve built some beautiful gardens on our own property, and for our customers. Here’s a tour of our gardens…

topiary gardens waterfall pond
Japanese maples at Topiary Gardens
Rock beneath an old Japanese maple

Our Nursery


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Water Features


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Patios, Walkways, Steps

Patios Walkways
A Water Feature can add a focal point to any yard. Not only is it beautiful to look at, but the soothing sound of water cascading over rocks, or the [read more...]
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