Advanced Search Filters

Plant Type
Hardiness Zone
Heat Zone
Sunset Zone
Function
Sun Exposure
Soil Moisture
Water Requirement

ACER palmatum 'Bonfire'

Image of Acer palmatum 'Bonfire'

Gerald L. Klingaman

Family

Aceraceae

Botanical Name

ACER palmatum 'Bonfire'

Plant Common Name

Bonfire Japanese Maple, Japanese Maple

General Description

The beautiful and ubiquitous Japanese maple is a small deciduous tree native to eastern Asia. Its dwarf cultivar 'Bonfire' (a.k.a. 'Seigai' and 'Akaji Nishiki') features small, palmate (hand-shaped) leaves that emerge bright red in spring, darken to bronze in late spring, mature to green in summmer, and finally turn brilliant orange and red in fall. The trunk is often twisted and its gray bark is attractive throughout the year. Branches are short and branchlets are softly drooping.

For most effective growth this maple prefers a semi-moist acidic soil and part shade. It works well as a feature plant for the garden, in containers, and for bonsai.

Characteristics

  • AHS Heat Zone

    8 - 2

  • USDA Hardiness Zone

    6 - 8

  • Sunset Zone

    A3, 2a, 2b, 3a, 3b, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 12, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24

  • Plant Type

    Tree

  • Sun Exposure

    Partial Sun, Partial Shade

  • Height

    8'-12' / 2.4m - 3.7m

  • Width

    8'-12' / 2.4m - 3.7m

  • Bloom Time

    Early Spring, Spring, Late Spring, Early Summer

  • Native To

    Eastern Asia, China, Japan, Korea

Growing Conditions

  • Soil pH

    Acidic, Neutral

  • Soil Drainage

    Average

  • Soil type

    Clay, Loam, Sand

  • Growth Rate

    Slow

  • Water Requirements

    Average Water

  • Habit

    Upright/Erect

  • Seasonal Interest

    Spring, Summer, Fall, Winter

Ornamental Features

  • Flower Interest

    Insignificant

  • Flower Color

    Red

  • Fruit Color

    Red, Green

  • Foliage Color (Spring)

    Red, Green, Orange

  • Foliage Color (Summer)

    Green, Bronze

  • Foliage Color (Fall)

    Red, Orange, Dark Red, Orange Red

  • Bark Color

    Gray

  • Fragrant Flowers

    No

  • Fragrant Fruit

    No

  • Fragrant Foliage

    No

  • Bark or Stem Fragrant

    No

  • Flower Petal Number

    Single

  • Repeat Bloomer

    No

  • Showy Fruit

    No

  • Edible Fruit

    No

  • Showy Foliage

    Yes

  • Foliage Texture

    Fine

  • Foliage Sheen

    Matte

  • Evergreen

    No

  • Showy Bark

    Yes

Special Characteristics

  • Bark Texture

    Smooth

  • Usage

    Container, Feature Plant, Mixed Border, Topiary / Bonsai / Espalier

  • Sharp or Has Thorns

    No

  • Invasive

    No

  • Self-Sowing

    Yes