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Japanese Maple 'Atropurpureum': The Classic Red-Leaf Seedling Type

Japanese Maple Atropurpureum

Atropurpureum foliage

Atropurpureum form

Atropurpureum bark

Overview

Japanese Maple 'Atropurpureum' (Acer palmatum 'Atropurpureum') refers to the classic red-leaf seedling type that has been grown for centuries. It is not a single clone but a group of seedlings selected for deep purple-red foliage. Plants vary somewhat in habit and color intensity, but all share the characteristic red spring leaves that may bronze in summer and turn brilliant red in fall. It is the ancestor of many named red cultivars.

Botanical Profile

Family: Sapindaceae (sap-in-DAY-see-ee)
Genus: Acer (AY-ser)
Species: Acer palmatum (pahl-MAY-tum)
Cultivar: 'Atropurpureum'

Cultivation

USDA zones 5-8. Adaptable to sun or partial shade. Moist, well-drained, acidic soil. Water regularly. Seedling variability means each tree is unique.

Significance

Historically important as the original red-leaf Japanese maple. Used as rootstock and for breeding. In gardens, it provides reliable red color at a lower cost than named clones.

Japanese Maples: Japanese Maple 'Bloodgood': The Classic Deep Red Landscape Standard; Japanese Maple 'Shaina': Compact Red Dwarf for Small Spaces; Japanese Maple 'Fireglow': Intense Red Upright for Small Gardens; Japanese Maple 'Katsura': Spring Orange Splendor with Green Summer Foliage; Japanese Maple 'Kiyohime': Dwarf Spreading Habit for Bonsai and Containers; Japanese Maple 'Osakazuki': Famous for the Most Intense Crimson Fall Color; Japanese Maple 'Kinran': Golden-Veined Reticulated Foliage; Japanese Maple 'Japanese Sunrise': Coral Bark with Yellow-Green Summer Foliage; Japanese Maple 'Moonfire': Reliable Red Upright with Bronze Summer Tones; Japanese Maple 'Fjellheim': Dwarf Compact from Norway

Garden Articles

Japanese Maple 'Kamagata': Dwarf Compact Introduced by Maplewood Nursery

Japanese Maple 'Hogyoku': Precious Jewel with Green Leaves, Orange Fall

Japanese Maple 'Ichigyoji': One Line of Characters with Green Foliage

Japanese Maple 'Ojishi': Large Lion with Crinkled Foliage

Japanese Maple 'Scolopendrifolium': Centipede Leaf with Narrow Lobes

Japanese Maple 'Kinshi': Golden Thread with Fine Golden Variegation

Japanese Maple 'Fascination': Intriguing Variegation

Plants

Japanese Maple 'Sazanami': Rippled Beauty

Omato Japanese Maple: A Cultivar with Large Leaves

Deshojo Japanese Maple: A Classic Red Cultivar

Aratama Japanese Maple: A Dwarf Cultivar with Compact Growth

Pixie Japanese Maple: A Tiny Cultivar for Small Spaces

Japanese Maple 'Aoba Jo'

Japanese Maple 'Ukigumo' (Floating Cloud Maple)