acer bonsai tree Japanese Maple Seeds

A thousand varieties. One unmistakable presence.

Acer palmatum, the Japanese Maple, is one of the most refined and widely collected ornamental trees in the world. Its deeply cut, star-shaped leaves and ever-changing color palette bring texture, movement, and elegance to any space. Cultivated in Japan for centuries, it remains unmatched for its ability to deliver dramatic seasonal beauty in a compact, garden-friendly form. Seed-grown trees express the full natural diversity of the species, producing one-of-a-kind specimens with unique character.

• Delicate, deeply cut foliage with exceptional seasonal color
• Each seed-grown tree develops unique leaf shape and coloration
• Compact, elegant form ideal for small landscapes and focal points
• Brilliant fall color ranging from gold to deep crimson
• Highly valued for bonsai and artistic pruning

Things You Probably Didn’t Know

There are over a thousand cultivated forms.
Japanese Maple has been selected and refined for centuries, resulting in an extraordinary range of forms and colors. Seed-grown trees continue that tradition of variation.

It transforms throughout the year.
Leaves often emerge one color in spring, deepen or shift in summer, and then ignite into vivid tones in fall, offering multiple visual phases in a single season.

It supports more than just aesthetics.
The seeds feed birds and small mammals, while the canopy provides cover and habitat within the garden ecosystem.

It can be shaped into living art.
Japanese Maple responds exceptionally well to bonsai and pruning, allowing growers to shape trees that appear far older than they are.

Growing Details

• Botanical Name: Acer palmatum
• Stratification: Required; 90–120 days cold moist stratification
• USDA Zones: 5–9
• Soil: Well-drained, slightly acidic, rich in organic matter
• Light: Full sun to partial shade; best with morning sun and afternoon protection
• Height: 15–25 feet
• Spread: 15–25 feet
• Growth Rate: Slow to moderate (1–2 ft/year)

Grow it from seed and it will be yours in a way no nursery tree ever could be. Every Japanese Maple started this way is a small original.