Acer palmatum 'Katsura hime' Japanese Maple

Acer palmatum ‘Katsura hime’ — Japanese Maple

A small maple with good manners is worth more than a large one you spend years trying to restrain. ‘Katsura hime’ is one of those refined Japanese selections that never tries to dominate the garden. It grows slowly, stays compact, and rewards close viewing — a tree meant for the near ground, not the distant skyline.

In early spring the leaves emerge a warm apricot-orange washed with peach and soft gold, brighter than most maples at the same season. The color glows best in cool morning light and settles into fresh green as the weather warms. The foliage is finely cut and delicate without being fragile, forming a dense, rounded canopy. Autumn closes the year with orange to red tones, often deeper where nights cool early.

Unlike many Japanese maples, this one was bred for restraint. It remains naturally small, making it ideal for courtyards, containers, and gardens where space is measured in feet rather than acres.

Mature Size
4–6 ft. tall
4–5 ft. wide

Growth Rate
Slow

Light Requirements
Morning sun with afternoon shade in warm climates.
Tolerates gentle sun but should be protected from harsh late-day summer exposure in the South.

Soil
Moist, well-drained, humus-rich soil
Prefers slightly acidic soil (pH 5.5–6.5)

Watering
Even moisture during establishment.
Do not allow soil to remain soggy; Japanese maples prefer drainage over fertility.

Cold Hardiness
USDA Zones 5–9

Landscape Uses

• Accent near entryways

• Decorative patio containers

• Courtyard focal point

• Small garden specimen

• Japanese-style plantings

Little pruning is required. Remove only dead or crossing wood in late winter. The plant’s natural shape is its best feature, and heavy cutting only replaces elegance with confusion.

If you want a Japanese maple that can live comfortably close to the house without outgrowing its welcome, ‘Katsura hime’ was selected for exactly that purpose.