MrMaple's Top 5 Purple Japanese Maples

Acer shirasawanum 'Purple Umbrella'

'Purple Umbrella’ is a large leaf selection of red full moon Japanese maple that was found and introduced by Crispin Silva. The leaves on the new growth of this Japanese maple can be quite large and umbrella-like. ‘Purple Umbrella’ leafs out as a dark purple maroon. An emerald cast comes into the leaf. Fall color is typically a bright red to deep maroon. We would expect ‘Purple Umbrella’ to reach 8-10 ft in height in 10 years.

Acer palmatum 'Amagi Shigure'

'Amagi shigure' leafs out in the early spring as a bright pink-red with deep purple veining. This is by far one of the best of the Ghost-like maples with a heavy and consistent reticulated variegation. Fall colors are bright orange reds. 'Amagi shigure' can reach 8-10 ft in 15 years.
It should be noted that there is another Japanese maple by this name with small green leaves.
This form of 'Amagi shigure' is extremely desirable and highly sought after by maple collectors. Some consider this newer and more desirable form the European form, however it also originated in Japan.

Acer laevigatum 'Hong Long'

‘Hóng Lóng' is the most amazing evergreen maple selection.‘Hóng Lóng' was a wild collected by Mark Weathington of the JC Raulston Arboretum. Unlike the species, the new growth on ‘Hóng Lóng' is a deep maroon red to purple-red, later maturing to green. The bark is a deep purple red. ‘Hóng Lóng' does not like full sun. Give protection from the hot afternoon sun for this tree to thrive. ‘Hóng Lóng' may reach 8-10 ft in 10 years. ‘Hóng Lóng' translates as “Red Dragon”.

Acer palmatum 'Purple Ghost'

‘Purple Ghost’ is a very striking tree that adds a blast of color. This leaf has deep lavender and purple colors divided by a dark maroon reticulated vein. Acer palmatum 'Purple Ghost' is heavily sought after for its dynamic color. The growth habit is upright with dense branching in semi-pendulous habit.

‘Purple Ghost’ grows to 8-10 feet tall and wide in 15 years. Filtered evening sun is suggested to bring out the best colors. 'Purple Ghost' captures a landscape with its dramatic show of deep lavender and purple. This selection by our friend Talon Buchholz is a spectacular selection. This is a tree you will want in your garden.