Acer palmatum 'Katsura hime' Japanese Maple

$70.00

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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.

DISCLAIMER - WE ADVISE THAT THE BEST TIME TO SHIP IS FROM OCTOBER TO MAY. SHIPPING OUTSIDE OF THAT TIME PERIOD CAN BE EXTREMELY STRESSFUL TO ANY LIVING PLANT. ON MOST OCCASIONS, PLANTS WILL SURVIVE THAT STRESS AND GO ON TO THRIVE. HOWEVER, OCCASIONALLY SOME WILL PERISH. WE DO NOT GUARANTEE TREES THAT WE DON’T PLANT, SO ONLINE SALES ARE AS IS. WE DO NOT SHIP TREES IN CONTAINERS/POTS AS TO AVOID EXCESSIVE SHIPPING CHARGES. WE SECURE TREE ROOTS IN LARGE PLASTIC BAGS PACKED WITH WET MEDIUM. IF YOU WISH TO SPECIFY A SHIP DATE, PLEASE INCLUDE A NOTE WITH YOUR ORDER. OTHER WISE IT WILL SHIP AS SOON AS WERE ABLE. WE DO NOT ACCEPT CANCELLATIONS ONCE AN ORDER IS PLACED. PLEASE KNOW WHAT YOU ARE ORDERING. SHIPPING TO ALASKA AND HAWAII IS EXTRA. OUR SHIPPING TIMEFRAME IS AN ESTIMATE NOT A GUARANTEE AS WE ARE AFFECTED BY WEATHER EVENTS, STAFFING ETC. Acer palmatum Katsura Hime is a dwarf version of Katsura. Katsura Hime leaves emerges bright yellow-orange in the spring. This coloration fades to an attractive light green during the summer months. Come fall, leaves turn to yellows and oranges on this lovely cultivar. The Katsura Japanese maple is a hardy cultivar. Height in 10 years about 6′. Will grow in zones 5-9. Thanks for looking