Acer palmatum 'Atropurpureum'
Also known as: Purple Japanese Maple
Overview
The Acer palmatum 'Atropurpureum' is a timeless favourite among Japanese maples, loved for its rich, deep red to purple foliage and graceful branching. Elegant and easy to care for, it adds structure, colour, and year-round appeal to gardens both large and small. This variety has stood the test of time and remains one of the most popular purple-leaved maples available.
Key Features
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Foliage: Palmate (hand-shaped) leaves in deep burgundy to reddish-purple throughout spring and summer.
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Autumn Colour: Turns a brilliant crimson or scarlet before leaf fall.
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Size at Maturity: Reaches around 3–5 metres in height with a slightly spreading habit.
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Growth Rate: Moderate – forms a rounded or vase-shaped small tree or large shrub.
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Flowering: Small, reddish spring flowers followed by winged seeds (samaras).
Seasonal Interest
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Spring: Deep purple-red leaves emerge and make an immediate impact.
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Summer: Rich, dark foliage offers a strong contrast against green plants or light-coloured walls.
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Autumn: Leaves take on fiery tones of red and scarlet before falling.
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Winter: Bare branches offer structure and silhouette, especially against frosty backdrops.
Ideal Growing Conditions
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Position: Best in partial shade, though it can tolerate full sun in cooler or more sheltered locations. Too much strong sun can cause leaf scorch.
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Soil: Moist but well-drained soil is ideal. Prefers slightly acidic to neutral conditions.
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Shelter: Benefits from protection against cold winds and strong afternoon sun.
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Hardiness: Fully hardy in most of the UK (H5 – down to -15°C to -10°C).
Care Tips
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Watering: Keep soil consistently moist, especially during dry periods and while the tree is establishing.
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Mulching: Apply mulch in early spring to help retain moisture and regulate soil temperature.
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Pruning: Generally low-maintenance. Light pruning in winter or summer can be done to maintain shape. Avoid heavy pruning.
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Feeding: Feed with a balanced fertiliser in spring to promote healthy growth and vibrant foliage.
Perfect For
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Adding colour contrast in mixed borders
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Japanese or oriental-themed gardens
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Shady courtyards and small gardens
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Containers and raised beds
Did You Know?
‘Atropurpureum’ is one of the oldest and most reliable red-leaved maples in cultivation. It’s widely planted across the UK and has received the RHS Award of Garden Merit, proving its quality and dependable performance.
Final Thoughts
With its striking purple foliage and graceful form, Acer palmatum 'Atropurpureum' is a fantastic choice for gardeners seeking a bold yet elegant feature plant. Easy to care for and visually rewarding across the seasons, it brings a touch of Japanese tranquillity to any outdoor space.
Buying Japanese Acers from Jacksons Nurseries
Unlike many garden centres, supermarkets and some nurseries here at Jacksons Nurseries we sell the majority of our stock all year round. Our stock is for the most part grown outdoors making it far hardier than those grown under glass and/or only sold ‘In Season’.
Here at Jacksons Nurseries we would favour a hardy outdoor grown plant every time. They are far less likely to suffer from the shock of being planted in colder conditions and they will begin to establish more rapidly the following spring. This can mean that they don’t look like a ‘picture perfect’ plant when purchased out of season but with the correct care and a little time you’ll have a wonderful plant to enjoy for many years to come.
Availability: Stock availability figures are provided as a guide only. There is a delay between orders being placed and the plants being gathered by our pulling team. During this time it may be possible for a member of the public to purchase these plants from our Garden Centre, while this is rare it is a possibility and we will notify you of any problems as soon as possible. This figure may also include plants that have not yet be flagged as unsaleable.
Pre-order: Pre-order times are given as a guide only and may vary dependent on the growing season. Orders containing Pre-ordered products will be shipped as a single order when all items become available. Large orders may be part shipped, please contact us on 01782 502741 or email sales@jacksonsnurseries.co.uk.
Grafting & Leaf Reversion
The main purpose of grafting ornamental plants and trees is to combine features of one variety with the more vigorous or resilient root stock of another. Grafting of Japanese Acers also has the added benefit of controlling the height of the tree depending on where the graft has been made.
When a Japanese Acer has been grafted some leaf reversion may take place or incorrect growth from the grafted base. If this occurs, pinch or prune out the incorrect stems once the leaves have fully unfurled.
Cultivation & Pruning
The perfect conditions for growing Japanese Acer would be well drained loam, slightly acidic and sandy with a good amount of organic matter but they will grow in most soil types. Avoid overly wet, dry or alkaline conditions.
Positioning your Japanese Acer will depend on the variety but most will grow best in a sheltered position. Green-leaved trees will tolerate full sun but some shade in the brightest of conditions will help prevent scorch. Red/Purple leaved trees will need some sun to help their develop their rich colours while variegated leaved trees are more suited to partial shade as they are more susceptible to scorch from the afternoon sun.
Mulch your Japanese Acer every other year with well-rotted garden compost or manure. During early establishment ensure that mulch does not come into contact with the collar.
Japanese Acer have shallow fibrous roots and are ideal plants for growing in containers. Ensure good drainage and do not over water. Feed in spring and early summer with a slow release fertiliser or a liquid feed. Try to avoid potting your Acers in overly large pots, start out with a pot approximately 5-8cm/2-3in larger than the pot it was in when purchased and re-pot by the same increase every couple of years, ideally in April or September.
Pot grown Acers are particularly vulnerable to winter frosts. Wrap your containers with fleece or bubble wrap.
Japanese Acers require very little pruning, allowing your tree to grow naturally will be the best way to produce a graceful shaped specimen. You may however wish to prune badly positioned or crossing shoots to encourage a better form, in this case pruning is best done when the tree is fully dormant usually from November to February, pruning outside of this window may result in a weakened tree.
Potential Problems
Japanese Acer are very prone to leaf scorch in both windy or excessively sunny positions. Red/Purple leaved varieties with green leaves or poor autumn colour may indicate insufficient light levels.
Horse chestnut scale and other scale insect damage can be a problem as can verticillium wilt. Pot grown trees can also be a target for vine weevils.
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