During the years we have been growing our collection of Japanese Acers otherwise known as Japanese Maples. We carefully select the best varieties for growing in gardens in the UK climate. Here we choose our favourites from our largest ever collection – which we consider the Best Acers for Autumn Colour.
Acer Palmatum
Imposing as a specimen tree or shrub, the beautiful palmate leaves undergo a wonderful transition in autumn – from green through gold to orange. The larger trees are beautiful specimen acer trees.
Foliage colours – Green Spring and Summer > Bronze > Yellow > Red in Autumn
Acer Palmatum – Large specimen tree just changing colour for Autumn
Acer Palmatum Dissectum
Lovely feathered leaves give a softness to the outline of these trees. We also have Acer Palmatum Dissectum feathered – these have gnarled, twisted stems which give them a very Japanese bonsai type structure – very unusual shaping and imported from Japan.
Foliage colours – Green Spring and Summer > Bronze > Red in Autumn
Acer Palmatum Dissectum – just changing colour in early September
Acer Palmatum Chitoseyama
A good choice for a smaller garden, slow-growing and weeping habit, with incredible colours of deepest red and orange in Autumn, when fully grown will be 2 metres high with 3 metres across – fabulous statement tree. This is one of the very best acers for autumn colour.
Foliage colours – Greenish Bronze Spring and Summer > Deep Red and Magenta leaves in Autumn
Acer Palmatum Chitoseyama – at different seasons – far right: Autumn leaf colour
Acer Sango Kaku
A gorgeous tree whatever the season – with lime coloured leaves on red stems in Spring, the leaves turn sunshine yellow in the Autumn and winter reveals the brilliant red stems bringing vital colour into the garden when you need it most. Awarded the RHS Award of Garden Merit
Foliage colours – Lime Green Spring and Summer > Canary Yellow leaves in Autumn > Brilliant Red Stems in Winter
Acer Sango Kaku left to right – in Spring, Autumn and Winter
Acer Palmatum Bloodgood
This Japanese Maple has dark red – purple coloured leaves all year round turning fire-engine red in the Autumn – a real show-stopper these trees can grow to a max of 5 metres high – so a good choice for residential gardens, like most Acers these are relatively slow growing – so we recommend buying the largest tree your budget allows for maximum impact.
Foliage colours – Dark Red and Purple in Spring and Summer > Brilliant Red in Autumn
Acer Palmatum Bloodgood Autumn Leaves Are Brilliant Red
Acer Palmatum Shirasawanum Aureum
A most unusual Japanese Acer that displays bright red flowers in Spring / Summer with bright lime green foliage which changes to brilliant oranges and reds in autumn. Also known as the Golden Full Moon Maple, Golden Leaf Maple or the Golden Shirasawa Maple.
Foliage colours – Lime Green leaves in Spring > Red Flowers in early Summer > orange and red in Autumn
Awarded the RHS Award of Garden Merit
Acer Palmatum Shirasawanum Aureum | left: Red Flowers Spring | right: Autumn leaves changing colour
Acer Palmatum Shaina
A lovely compact little tree – perfect for small town gardens and will grow well in a container for the patio, displays gorgeous shades of red throughout the seasons.
Foliage Colours – Flaming red in Spring > Deep Burgundy Red in Summer > Crimson red leaves in Autumn
Best Acers for Autumn Colour – Acer Palmatum Shaina. Burgundy red leaves in summer. Deep Crimson in Autumn
Our expert team at Paramount Plants are on-hand if you need any advice – please do get in touch!
Paramount Plants & Gardens Ltd
131 Theobalds Park Road
Crews Hill
Enfield
London EN2 9BH
Tel: +44 (0)20 8367 8809
[email protected]
Acer Dissectum Japanese Maple at the Kyoto garden in Holland Park London in early autumn
Mature Acer Palmatum Dissectum – note the beautiful shape
