There’s a unique part of Amsterdam Garden Centre where time and space seem to stand still. I will often see enthused plant collectors spend hours there, carefully checking grafts and looking up new varieties on their cell phones much like they are digging for treasure. They often set aside a small collection of potential purchases on a nearby cart and will just stand there staring at their selections, pondering which varieties are worthy of bringing home.
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They occasionally return a few to the bench, but almost always look back as they walk away, making their way to the cashier to pay for their newfound botanical jewels. Often, they return the very next day with a panicked look in their eyes, desperately hoping that the one tree they passed on the day before is still there. Sometimes they are confronted by the agony of defeat (in which case they almost always ask me if it has been possibly moved to another section) and at other times, they are overjoyed by a rapturous reunion as they bring their prized cultivar home much like they are cradling a newborn baby for the first time.
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Of course, we are talking about our Japanese Maple section, which is expanding for 2027, although I have to
admit that we are unable to carry all of the estimated 1000 cultivars out there in the world. And if we go beyond the traditional Acer palmatum, to the Shirasawa (Acer shirasawanum) and Fullmoon Maples (Acer japonicum), then there are even more tempting varieties to sort through. Collecting Japanese Maples is a time-honoured pastime, dating back 400 years to the Edo Period in Japan and since most cultivars thrive in containers, your collection is not limited to ground space, which means that anyone can enjoy these beauties.
So, just in case you have yet to be bit by the Japanese Maple bug, here’s a tempting autumn overview definitely meant to whet your appetite for this fascinating group of trees.
Acer palmatum ‘Osakazuki’
A classic Japanese maple widely known for its stunning fire engine red fall colours, this mid-sized tree needs some sun to develop those brilliant autumn hues. It has an upright, vase-shaped form with leaves that emerge with a chartreuse hue, later shifting to a deep green in summer. Grows 15’ tall. Hardy to USDA zone 5.
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Acer japonicum ‘Aconitifolium’
The Fern-Leaf Fullmoon or Dancing Peacock maple is widely grown for its stunning, deeply cut foliage. In autumn it literally glows as the leaves take on an intense scarlet hue, starting on the edges. Grows 15’ tall. Hardy to USDA zone 5.
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Acer palmatum ‘Shishigashira’
Most gardeners purchase this unique Japanese maple for its small currant-shaped leaves that grow in dense clusters much like a bonsai. The Lion’s Head maple also sports very attractive autumn tones, varying from clear yellow, to burnt orange and red. Grows 8-12’ tall. Hardy to USDA zone 5.
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Acer palmatum var. dissectum ‘Waterfall’
While most people tend to gravitate towards the red to purple leaved Weeping Japanese maples when making a purchase for their garden, the green varieties actually have superior fall foliage. Case in point is ‘Waterfall’, which consistently shifts to clear yellow, often mixed some deep orange, depending on the sun exposure. Grows 5’ tall. Hardy to USDA zone 5.
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Acer palmatum ‘Satsuki beni’
Also known as a Red Fingernail maple, as the drooping newly emerged leaves are chartreuse and look like they have had their tips dipped in scarlet fingernail polish. Autumn is equally rewarding as this variety with a name that translates as ‘red azalea’, shifts to dramatic orange and carmine hues. Grows 12-15’ tall. Hardy to USDA zone 5.
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Acer shirasawanum ‘Autumn Moon’
Another classic Shirasawa maple which sells briskly in spring when the large orange leaves emerge with peachy-red overtones. Fall colour can vary from the deepest reds to a rich orange, or even the unique bronze colour shown here. Grows 15-18’ tall. Hardy to USDA zone 5.
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Acer palmatum ‘Iijima Sunago’
A old variety which dates back to the late 1800’s, it has remained popular to this day much in part to its seasonal appeal, which is constantly changing. Leaves emerge with a pink hue, maturing to a brick red in summer and finally a vibrant two-tone display of gold and reddish orange in autumn. Grows 10-12’ tall. Hardy to USDA zone 5.
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Acer palmatum ‘Trompenburg’
This cultivar used to be quite popular about 20 years ago and is only recently becoming more commonly available. This upright tree has deeply incised leaves (resembling claws) with distinct tapered lobes that emerge a glossy burgundy-red and mature to a bronze green in summer. Fall tones can vary from crimson to a golden-yellow, as shown here. Grows 15-20’ tall. Hardy to USDA zone 5.
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Acer palmatum ‘Jerre Schwartz’
A unique witches broom dwarf form with congested foliage that constantly changes throughout the growing season. Spring brings reddish-pink, orange and cherry highlights which fade to bronze-green with rosy-pink new growth in summer. It reignites in autumn with fiery gold, orange and red hues. Grows 6’ tall. Hardy to USDA zone 5.
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Acer palmatum ‘Edna Bergman’
This variety caught my eye constantly when I was perusing a local wholesale tree supplier last fall. No matter where she was placed, ‘Edna Bergman’ burst into vibrant fire engine red foliage that literally glowed in the distance. Grows 8-12’ tall. Hardy to USDA zone 5.
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So, there you have it, my fall review of a handful of Japanese Maples and while we may have a few on site for purchase now, your best bet will be to peruse our online 2027 varieties, which will be ready to shop in just a few weeks.
Copyright 2026 MK Lascelle
