Acer palm Benimaiko

Acer palmatum 'Beni-maiko' is a compact Japanese maple valued for its vivid spring display: fresh leaves emerge bright red to pink-red, soften to greenish tones through summer, and finish in striking orange-scarlet shades in autumn. Best grown in a sheltered spot with sun to light shade, it prefers a moist, humus-rich, well-drained, slightly acidic soil and protection from drying winds; young foliage can be sensitive to late frosts and strong sun. Its naturally slow to moderate growth and modest eventual size make it an excellent choice for small gardens and courtyards where seasonal colour and fine texture are desired.

To help give a clear sense of scale, the stone wall shown in our photos measures approximately 265cm in height. We also use familiar garden tools as visual references: a digging fork (110cm tall) and a hand fork (30cm tall). These are included purely as size guides to help you better judge proportions when viewing the images.

Position: Sun or light shade; shelter from cold/drying winds

Rate of Growth: Slow to moderate

Soil: Moist but well-drained, humus-rich, preferably slightly acidic (not chalky)

Hardiness: Hardy

Plant at a Glance