Light Needs
Mature Height
Mature Spread
Growing Zones
Japanese Maples are popular and widely grown for their intense foliage color. Perhaps one of the best examples for a smaller garden has to be the Emperor I® Japanese Maple. Botanically known as Acer palmatum Emperor I®, this small tree produces the most stunning foliage in shades of red and purple. Growing to approximately 20-25 feet tall and wide, this superb Japanese Maple comes into leaf slightly later than some other varieties, making it less susceptible to frosts.
The Acer palmatum Emperor I® puts on new growth quickly and forms an attractive upright habit. As their name suggests, Japanese Maples originate from Asia and due to their ornamental characteristics, tend to be grown as specimen trees. Due to its relatively small size, the Acer palmatum Emperor I® is often grown where it can be seen and appreciated.
Emperor I® Japanese Maple Care
To get the most from its colorful foliage, the Acer palmatum Emperor I® is best planted in full sun or partial shade. Ideally grown in fertile, moist and free-draining soil, it can tolerate most soils apart from those that are highly alkaline. After planting, frequent watering is necessary for its first season or two and during any future hot and dry spells. A yearly mulch of organic matter can help conserve moisture. Due to its vigorous growth and final size, care must be taken when siting this tree so as not to interfere with any overhead lines or structures.
Regular pruning is not generally necessary. However, if any dead, diseased or crossing branches are identified, they can be pruned back in winter when the tree is dormant and leafless.
Emperor I® Japanese Maple Spacing
If given the right conditions, the Acer palmatum Emperor I® can grow to 25 feet tall by 25 feet wide. Widely grown as a specimen tree, it is often given pride of place and grown alone so its beauty can be appreciated from all sides. If underplanting, low-growing perennials and small evergreen shrubs can produce a pleasing effect without drawing away attention from the star of the show.
Emperor I® Japanese Maple Information
| USDA Hardiness Zones: 5 - 8 |
| Plant Type: Trees |
| Light Exposure: Partial Sun to Full Sun (At Least 5 Hours of Direct Sunlight) |
| Mature Height: 20 - 25 Feet |
| Mature Spread: 20 - 25 Feet |
| Spacing: 20 - 25 Feet |
| Habit: Upright |
| Flower Color(s): Red |
| Flower Description: Reddish-Purple |
| Bloom Period: April |
| Foliage Type: Deciduous |
| Foliage Color(s): Purple, Red |
| Foliage Description: Dark, Purple-Red Leaves |
| Seasonal Interest: Spring Flowering, Summer Flowering, Fall Interest, 4 Season Interest |
| Watering: Low |
| Resists: N/A |
| Tolerates: Heat, Drought |
| Attracts: Birds |
| Container Role: |
| Uses: Edging, Hedges & Privacy, Specimen or Focal Point |
| Features: Attracts Pollinators, Foliage Interest, Low Maintenance |
| Brand: |
| Common Name: Emperor I® Japanese Maple |
| Other Name(s): Emperor |
| Scientific Name: Acer pal. Emperor 1 |
- SKU:
- 1231003490-pc
Please Note: The pictures below are to give a general representation of the different container sizes. The actual size/ages of plants are estimates and will vary based on type of plant, time of year, last pruning & many other factors.
Also Known As:
Quart
Plant Age:
~ 6 months - 1 year
Plant Size:
~ 4"-8"
Pot Size:
~ 4.75"H x 4.5"W
Volume:
1.50 quarts
Also Known As:
2.5 Quart Pot
Plant Age:
~ 1 - 2 years old
Plant Size:
~ 8"-12"
Pot Size:
~ 6.5"H x 6.5"W
Volume:
2.20-2.30 quarts
Also Known As:
#1 Container
1 Gallon
Plant Age:
~ 1 - 2 years old
Plant Size:
~ 10"-14"
Pot Size:
~ 7"H x 7.75"W
Volume:
2.26-3.73 quarts
Also Known As:
#2 Container
2 Gallon
Plant Age:
~ 1.5 - 3 years old
Plant Size:
~ 12"-18"
Pot Size:
~ 9.5"H x 9.5"W
Volume:
1.19-1.76 gallons
Also Known As:
#3 Container
3 Gallon
Plant Age:
~ 2 - 4 years old
Plant Size:
~ 12"-30"
Pot Size:
~9.5"H x 11"W
Volume:
2.32-2.76 gallons
Also Known As:
#5 Container
5 Gallon
Plant Age:
~3-4 years old
Plant Size:
~ 20" - 60"
Pot Size:
~11" H x 10 1/2” W
Volume:
3.5 - 4 gallons
We stand behind our plants with industry-leading guarantees to give you peace of mind.
We want your plants to arrive in great condition! If you notice any issues upon delivery, contact us within 3 days.
Starting January 1, 2025 all bushes, perennials & trees purchased come with an extended 1-year warranty for added confidence. If your plant dies due to a health issue within a year, we’ll make it right.
Pre-ordered plants are scheduled to ship in Spring 2025. We carefully plan our shipping dates based on your USDA Plant Hardiness Zone to ensure optimal planting conditions upon arrival. Want it sooner/later? Reach out, and we'll try our best to accommodate.
Estimated ship week for pre-ordered plants will ship based on growing zones as shown below.
| Growing Zone | Estimated Ship Week |
|---|---|
| Zone 10 | March 31th |
| Zone 9 | March 31st |
| Zone 8 | April 7th |
| Zone 7 | April 14th |
| Zone 6b | April 21st |
| Zone 6a | April 28th |
| Zone 5b | May 5th |
| Zone 5a | May 12th |
| Zone 4 | May 19th |
| Zone 3 | May 26th |
Note: These are only estimated ship dates. Plants may ship out later depending on weather & growing conditions of the plant.
Note: Only plants indicated as pre-order will ship as shown above. All other plants and hard goods will ship as normal.
Plants that are currently in stock typically ship within 2-7 business days after your order is placed.
Plant Addicts ships to the lower 48 states within the U.S. Unfortunately, we do not currently ship to Alaska, Hawaii, or internationally.
This plant cannot be shipped to the following states: Idaho, AK, HI. These restrictions apply only to this specific plant due to agricultural regulations or other limitations. Other plants may still be available for shipping to these states.
If you have any questions about shipping restrictions, feel free to reach out to our team!