Acer palmatum 'Fascination' Japanese Maple Tree

Some Japanese maples whisper. ‘Fascination’ does not. It changes all year long, and that is its particular charm — never a static plant, always in motion with the seasons.

Spring growth opens bright red to rosy crimson, the young leaves thin and luminous when backlit. As summer advances the foliage matures into a rich burgundy-green, holding color better than many red maples through heat and humidity. New flushes of growth often emerge red again, so the tree carries layers of tones at once. Autumn brings a final performance of scarlet and glowing red-orange, often more intense where nights cool early.

The habit is upright and spreading, forming a rounded canopy without becoming coarse or oversized. It gives the color impact of a red maple while remaining a manageable landscape tree — large enough to anchor a planting bed, small enough to live comfortably near the house.

Mature Size
12–15 ft. tall
10–12 ft. wide

Growth Rate
Moderate

Light Requirements
Morning sun with afternoon shade in warm climates
Filtered light ideal in hot southern exposures

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

Watering
Regular watering during establishment
Maintain even moisture but avoid poorly drained locations

Cold Hardiness
USDA Zones 5–9

Landscape Uses

• Front yard specimen tree

• Accent for lawn or garden beds

• Near patios and walkways

• Small shade tree for residential landscapes

Pruning should be light and thoughtful — remove only dead, damaged, or crossing branches in late winter. Japanese maples resent heavy shaping and reward proper placement instead.

Plant it where it can catch the lower evening light of autumn. When October arrives, ‘Fascination’ lives up to its name.

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 'FASCINATION' A LARGE UPRIGHT JAPANESE MAPLE TREE WITH LARGE, DEEPLY SERRATED LEAVES. LEAVES EMERGE YELLOW AND ORANGE HUES IN SPRING, TURNING DARK GREEN IN THE SUMMER. FALL COLOR IS ORANGE TO RED TONES. PREFERS ORGANIC RICH WELL DRAINED SOIL. Grows in zones 5-9. Thanks for looking