Japanese Maple Emperor One
Acer palmatum 'Emperor One'
A stunning dwarf Japanese maple that maintains brilliant red foliage throughout the entire growing season, unlike many varieties that fade to green in summer. This compact cultivar offers year-round interest with its deeply lobed leaves and elegant branching structure, making it perfect for small gardens and containers. The intense crimson color deepens to burgundy-red in fall, creating a spectacular focal point that gardeners treasure.
Harvest
N/Ad
Days to harvest
Sun
Partial shade to filtered sun
Zones
5–8
USDA hardiness
Height
15-25 feet
Planting Timeline
Showing dates for Japanese Maple Emperor One in USDA Zone 7
All Zone 7 ornamental-tree →Zone Map
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Japanese Maple Emperor One · Zones 5–8
Growing Details
Zone-by-Zone Planting Calendar
Complete Growing Guide
Light: #deciduous#bronze#shrub#purple leaves#slow growing#samaras#red leaves#bonsai#yellow leaves#tsc#fall interest#understory tree#dappled shade#deer resistant#nighttime garden#copper leaves#children's garden#red fruits#playground plant#self-seeding#pollinator plant#larval host plant#deciduous tree#bird friendly#tsc-t#imperial moth#mccarthy memorial garden#landscape plant sleuths course#wildlife friendly#th-sight#woodland#cpp#HS111#illustration#HS304#fpp. Soil: High Organic Matter. Drainage: Good Drainage, Moist. Water: 'Atropurpureum', 'Ben Komachii', 'Bloodgood', 'Burgundy Lace', 'Crimson Queen', 'Garnet', 'Gwens Rose Delight', 'Higasayama', 'Jordan', 'Kagiri Nishiki', 'Kiyohime', 'Koto no ito', 'Mikawa yatsubusa', 'Mizuho Beni', 'Moonfire', 'Novum', 'Orange Dream', 'Orangeola', 'Osakazuki', 'Oto hime', 'Redleaf', 'Ryusen', 'Sango-Kaku', 'Seiryu', 'Shaina', 'Sharp’s Pygmy', 'Sherwood Flame', subsp. matsumurae, 'Trompenburg', 'Twombly Red Sentinel', 'Waterfall', 'Yuri Hime'. Height: 15 ft. 0 in. - 25 ft. 0 in.. Spread: 10 ft. 0 in. - 25 ft. 0 in.. Growth rate: Slow. Maintenance: High. Propagation: Grafting.
Harvesting
A schizocarp of two samaras, wings incurved forming an arch, becoming reddish.
Color: Brown/Copper, Red/Burgundy. Type: Samara, Schizocarp.
Harvest time: Fall
Bloom time: Spring
History & Origin
Origin: Asia: Japan, China, Korea, eastern Mongolia, southeastern Russia
Advantages
- +Disease resistance: Deer, Drought
- +Attracts: This tree is mildly resistant to damage by deer.
- +Wildlife value: Members of the genus Acer support Imperial Moth (Eacles imperialis) larvae which have one brood per season and appear from April-October in the south. Adult Imperial Moths do not feed. Small song birds are attracted to this plant.
Considerations
- -High maintenance
Companion Plants
Plant Together
Hostas
Thrives in similar partial shade conditions and provides complementary foliage texture
Astilbe
Enjoys same moisture and shade requirements, adds colorful plumes without competing
Heuchera
Tolerates shade well and provides year-round foliage interest at ground level
Japanese Painted Fern
Shares cultural preferences and adds silver-gray foliage contrast
Camellia
Both prefer acidic soil and filtered light, blooms complement maple's structure
Azalea
Similar acidic soil requirements and shallow root systems don't compete heavily
Moss
Naturally grows in same conditions and helps retain soil moisture
Rhododendron
Compatible soil pH needs and provides spring blooms before maple leafs out
Keep Apart
Black Walnut
Produces juglone which is toxic to many plants including Japanese maples
Large Oak Trees
Deep roots compete aggressively for water and nutrients, can overshadow maple
Eucalyptus
Allelopathic properties inhibit growth of nearby plants
Pests & Disease Resistance
Resistance
Good resistance to most common maple diseases when properly sited
Common Pests
Aphids, scale insects, Japanese beetles
Diseases
Verticillium wilt, anthracnose, leaf scorch in hot climates