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Japanese Maple 'Sharp's Pygmy': Tiny Dwarf for Bonsai and Rock Gardens

Japanese Maple Sharp's Pygmy

Sharp's Pygmy foliage

Sharp's Pygmy form

Sharp's Pygmy bark

Overview

Japanese Maple 'Sharp's Pygmy' (Acer palmatum 'Sharp's Pygmy') is a miniature dwarf cultivar forming a very dense, compact mound. Its tiny leaves are green with reddish margins in spring, green in summer, and turn orange-red in fall. One of the smallest maples, it is highly prized for bonsai, trough gardens, and fairy gardens.

Botanical Details

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

Growing Needs

USDA zones 5-8. Prefers partial shade. Excellent drainage is critical; use gritty soil mix. Water carefully to avoid both drought and waterlogging. Very slow growing.

Ideal Uses

Perfect for bonsai, miniature gardens, rock gardens, and containers. A collector's gem for small-scale horticulture.

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 'Atropurpureum': The Classic Red-Leaf Seedling Type; Japanese Maple 'Katsura': Spring Orange Splendor with Green Summer Foliage; Japanese Maple 'Kiyohime': Dwarf Spreading Habit for Bonsai and Containers; Japanese Maple 'Coonara Pygmy': Tiny Dwarf for Miniature Gardens; 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

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