Woodie’s Picks: Japanese Maples To Complete Your Landscape
Do you ever look out into your front yard and think “something is missing…” Well, you could very well be missing a gorgeous statement tree like a Japanese Maple! Making a bold yet delicate statement, these hardy, small-space landscaping trees will easily add beauty and charm to your outdoor space!
In this blog, we will cover the key reasons to incorporate Japanese Maples into your landscape design and highlight four of our favorite unique Japanese Maple varieties, which are available for purchase online!
Reasons To Grow Japanese Maples
Year-Round Visual Interest
One of the key reasons why so many people opt to feature a Japanese Maple in their landscape is for the year-round visual appeal it provides to a landscape. In the spring, you can enjoy watching the trees awaken from a long winter’s nap, featuring vibrant fresh foliage from red to orange to green. In summer, you will watch in awe as the colorful foliage deepens in color, offering sophisticated elegance to the landscape. And in winter, the bare branches and graceful form add unique structural beauty to your yard’s design.
Elegant Form and Structure
Another reason Japanese Maples are so well-loved in landscape design is the structure they bring to an outdoor space. The delicate, lacy leaves and graceful branching form of Japanese Maples create a soft artistic silhouette that works in various landscape designs. There is a range of cultivars, from weeping forms to upright and vase-shaped trees, so depending on your space and what you need structurally, you have options.
A Sense of Serenity
Popular for use in zen gardens and backyard retreats, Japanese Maples have a unique way of bringing a sense of calm and peace to an outdoor space. Whether it’s due to their graceful form and rich colors or their symbolism derived from Japanese Culture, these trees create a serene and meditative atmosphere.
Low-Maintenance and Long-Lived
A final benefit to growing Japanese Maples is their low-maintenance nature and ability to thrive for long periods of time. Once established, these specimen trees require minimal pruning and care. With the right location, ideally partial shade and well-drained soils, these trees can thrive in a landscape for decades!
Four Japanese Maples To Add Year-Round Interest To The Landscape
Bloodgood Japanese Maple
The Bloodgood Japanese Maple tree is a small specimen tree known for its vibrant reddish-purple foliage. It has a rounded shape and grows to about 20 feet tall and wide at maturity. Leaves on this gorgeous tree emerge a deep burgundy and maintain these rich hues throughout the summer and into the fall. It's a great choice for adding visual interest and color, especially as a focal point or against a backdrop of greens. It's an excellent choice for adding visual interest and color, especially as a focal point or against a backdrop of greens. Consider planting it in areas with partial shade and protection from wind, and ensure well-draining soil with an acidic pH!
Coral Bark Japanese Maple
For a more outlandish, bold look in the landscape, look to the Coral Bark Japanese Maple! This medium-sized tree is best known for the eye-catching coral bark that stands out in every season. In spring and summer, you can enjoy the juxtaposition of the bright orange to red bark against lime green foliage. In the fall, you will enjoy the mesmerizing show of color as the leaves transition from neon green to stunning shades of orange and red. And in the winter, you can really admire the bright red back as it is often the first thing you see in a dull winter landscape. These trees typically reach 20-25 feet tall and 15-20 feet wide at maturity.
Twombly’s Red Sentinel Japanese Maple
If you want to add vertical interest to the landscape, Twombly’s Red Sentinel Japanese Maple is the way to grow! Sporting a striking, upright, columnar form, this narrow grower will surely add interest to any landscape. The leaves on the Red Sentinel emerge a bright red in spring and deepen to a breathtaking burgundy hue in the summer. At maturity, you can expect this Japanese Maple to reach 10-15 feet in height and 6-8 feet in width.
Viridis Japanese Maple
Last on our list of Japanese Maples to add year-round interest to the landscape is the Viridis Japanese Maple. This is a bright green laceleaf tree with a weeping habit. The Viridis is known for its highlighter green, finely dissected foliage that changes to fiery oranges, reds, and yellows in the fall. The branches gracefully cascade in an arching form that is sure to add a whimsical, magical feel to your home.
Shop Japanese Maples Online
No matter your landscape’s size or style, there’s a Japanese Maple variety that can bring elegance, structure, and seasonal color to your outdoor space. From fiery fall foliage to stunning sculptural forms, these trees are more than just a garden feature — they’re living art. Ready to elevate your yard with timeless beauty? Explore our curated collection of Japanese Maples and find the one that speaks to your landscape dreams.