Japanese maple (Acer palmatum 'Murasaki-hime')
Acer palmatum 'Murasaki-hime' is a dwarf Japanese maple, offering handsome purple foliage and bright red fall color. Low maintenance and hardy in zones 5-9.
Complete Plant Information
Overview
Acer palmatum ‘Murasaki-hime’ is a choice cultivar of the widely celebrated Japanese maple, distinguished by its compact, shrubby habit and rich purple coloration. This specific variety is highly valued by gardeners for providing dependable structure and color interest in smaller garden spaces where larger specimens might crowd the area. Reaching only 4 to 6 feet eventually, Acer palmatum ‘Murasaki-hime’ offers deep visual impact without demanding excessive real estate.
As a deciduous shrub, it provides year-round structure, transitioning from attractive purple leaves in summer to a vibrant red display in autumn. Its low maintenance requirements make the Japanese maple an excellent choice for dedicated hobbyists and those seeking elegant, subtle beauty with minimal fuss. Proper siting helps avoid leaf scorch and ensures the best expression of its unique coloration.
The appeal of the Japanese maple lies in its detailed foliage and refined form. While the species is native to Japan, Korea, and China, cultivars like ‘Murasaki-hime’ thrive globally in appropriate climates, provided they receive protection from harsh winds and consistent moisture during the growing season.
Fast Facts
- Plant Family: Sapindaceae
- Plant Type: Deciduous shrub
- Hardiness Zones: USDA Zones 5-9
- Size at Maturity:
- Height: 4-6 ft
- Spread: 4-6 ft
- Bloom Time: April
- Bloom Description: Reddish-purple
- Sun Exposure: Full sun to part shade
- Water Needs: Medium
- Maintenance Level: Low
How to Grow
For optimal performance, plant this Japanese maple in locations that provide moist, organically rich, and slightly acidic, well-drained soils. While it tolerates full sun in cooler northern regions, gardeners in warmer areas (like the South) should ensure it receives protection from intense afternoon sun to prevent foliage scorch, especially during hot summers where inconsistent moisture is an issue. Mulching is highly recommended to conserve soil moisture and keep the root zone cool.
Water needs are medium, meaning consistent moisture is key to maintaining leaf health; do not allow the soil to dry out completely, as this stresses the plant. Fertilize Acer palmatum ‘Murasaki-hime’ lightly in the spring just before the leaves emerge. If pruning is necessary, keep it minimal and perform the bulk of the work during late fall or midwinter. Avoid pruning in spring or summer, as this typically results in significant sap ‘bleeding’ from the cuts.
Site your planting away from locations exposed to strong, drying winds. This cultivar is dwarf, making it an excellent candidate for sheltered courtyards or protected borders where its deep purple tones can be fully appreciated without environmental interference.
Landscape Uses
The primary allure of Japanese maple cultivars is their ornamental foliage and refined structure, making them superb specimen pieces used as accents near entryways or structural elements within mixed borders. Because Acer palmatum ‘Murasaki-hime’ remains compact (4–6 ft), it functions beautifully when used to anchor smaller perennial beds or as a focal point in a woodland garden margin where dappled light filters through taller deciduous trees.
Its deep purple color contrasts dramatically with lighter green or variegated foliage plants, offering excellent textural and color variety when grouped intentionally. Additionally, its small stature makes it a surprisingly good candidate for cultivation in extremely large containers, provided the container provides adequate winter protection in the colder zones of its range. Use it with confidence where you need year-round structure and bold, non-flowering color.
Standout Features
Flower Qualities
- Insignificant
Noteworthy Characteristics
Acer palmatum, commonly called Japanese maple, is a deciduous shrub or small tree that typically grows to 10-25’ (infrequently to 40’) tall. It is native to Japan, Korea and China. General plant form is rounded to broad-rounded, often with low branching. Each palmate green leaf (2-5” long) has 5 or 7 but less frequently 9 pointed toothed lobes. Small reddish-purple flowers in umbels bloom in mid spring (April). The flowers are rather attractive close up, but are not particularly showy from a distance. Flowers are followed by samaras (to 3/4” long) in pairs. Samaras ripen in September-October. Fall color includes shades of yellow, red-purple and bronze. Cultivars (often grafted) are quite variable.Genus name is the Latin name for a maple tree.Specific epithet is in reference to the palmate nature of the leaves. Each leaf has several lobes (typically 5-7) that all originate from one point looking like an open hand with outstretched fingers.‘Murasaki-hime’ (Dwarf Group) is a shrubby purple-leaved cultivar that typically matures to only 6’ tall and as wide. Each palmate leaf has 5-7 narrow, serrated, deeply-cut lobes (divided almost completely to the leaf base). Outer leaves exposed to sun are an attractive purple, but inner leaves shaded from sun are red to greenish-red. Bright red fall color.
Tolerances
- Rabbit
- Black Walnut
Potential Problems
Potential issues for the Japanese maple generally revolve around climate stress and fungal pathogens. Disease concerns include stem canker, leaf spots, fusarium, anthracnose, and the serious verticillium wilt; prevention relies heavily on choosing well-drained sites and avoiding wounding the bark. Insect pests commonly encountered are scale insects, aphids, borers, and root weevils, which can usually be managed with targeted horticultural oil or soap applications when populations are first noticed. Be aware that the foliage of this Acer palmatum cultivar leafs out early, making it susceptible to damage from late spring frosts; planting in a spot with slight morning warmth but afternoon shade can mitigate heat-related scorch.
Frequently Asked Questions
What hardiness zones is Japanese maple suitable for?
This specific Japanese maple, Acer palmatum ‘Murasaki-hime’, is reliably hardy in USDA Zones 5 through 9.
How large does Acer palmatum ‘Murasaki-hime’ grow?
This dwarf cultivar typically matures between 4 to 6 feet in both height and spread, making it significantly smaller than many standard Japanese maple types.
What sun exposure does Acer palmatum ‘Murasaki-hime’ need?
It thrives best in a location receiving full sun to partial shade; however, afternoon shade is crucial in hotter climates to prevent leaf scorching.
When does Japanese maple bloom?
The Japanese maple displays small, reddish-purple flowers in umbels during the month of April, though these are minor compared to the foliage display.
Conclusion
The Acer palmatum ‘Murasaki-hime’ offers gardeners reliable low maintenance coupled with superb aesthetic value through its deep purple summer tones and brilliant red autumn performance. As a compact Japanese maple, it provides significant impact in restricted or layered garden designs. Always confirm your garden site offers protection from high winds and consistently moist, well-drained soil before planting this beautiful specimen.
Companion Planting
When designing a space for Acer palmatum ‘Murasaki-hime’, consider companion plants that thrive under similar conditions—moist, acidic, well-drained soil, and partial shade. Hostas with bright green or variegated leaves create a stunning contrast against the deep purple foliage of this Japanese maple, especially in a woodland setting. Azaleas and Rhododendrons share similar pH preferences and will bloom vibrantly around the maple in spring, complementing the reddish-purple bloom time of the maple.
For groundcover, consider spreading ferns or Japanese forest grass (Hakonechloa macra). These selections enjoy the root cooling that mulch provides and help suppress weeds without competing aggressively for surface moisture, supporting the medium water needs of the shrub.
Seasonal Care Calendar
Spring is crucial for feeding and observation; fertilize just before leaf emergence and monitor new foliage for any signs of frost damage, proactively applying protective shading if late freezes are forecast. Summer maintenance focuses almost entirely on irrigation; ensure consistent moisture, which is vital to prevent the foliage of this Acer palmatum from crisping or scorching in high heat.
In the fall, enjoy the spectacular bright red coloration of the ‘Murasaki-hime’ as temperatures cool. Apply a fresh layer of organic mulch after leaf drop to insulate the root system heading into winter. Winter is the ideal time for any needed structural pruning, ensuring you avoid cutting during times when sap flow might cause excessive bleeding in the branches.
