Bring bold color and classic elegance to your landscape with this live Acer palmatum ‘Emperor 1’, also known as the Red Emperor Japanese Maple. Widely admired for its rich maroon foliage, graceful upright form, and outstanding hardiness, this ornamental tree delivers stunning color from spring through fall.

In early spring, deeply lobed leaves emerge in dark red-maroon tones with a translucent glow when backlit by sunlight. Throughout summer, ‘Emperor 1’ retains vibrant color better than many red maples, with subtle olive-green undersides creating depth and movement in the breeze. In autumn, the foliage transforms into a spectacular scarlet-red display that lights up the landscape.

This vigorous yet manageable upright Japanese maple reaches approximately 15 feet tall, ideal for focal plantings, front yards, patios, Japanese-inspired gardens, and ornamental borders. Heat tolerant, cold hardy, and easy to grow, it is a reliable choice for gardeners and collectors.

You will receive:
✔️ 1 live Acer palmatum ‘Emperor 1’
✔️ Originally grown in #3 container
✔️ Healthy, rooted upright Japanese maple
✔️ Secure packaging for safe arrival

Growing Information

• Common Name: Emperor 1 Japanese Maple
• Botanical Name: Acer palmatum ‘Emperor 1’
• Plant Type: Deciduous ornamental tree
• Growth Stage: Young established tree
• Sun Requirements: Full sun to partial shade
• Soil: Rich, moist, well-draining soil
• Watering: Moderate; maintain consistent moisture
• Mature Height: Approximately 15 feet
• Growth Habit: Upright branching ornamental tree
• Growth Rate: Moderate to vigorous
• USDA Zones: 5–9
• Spring & Summer Foliage: Deep maroon-red
• Fall Color: Brilliant scarlet red
• Special Features: Excellent heat tolerance and strong color retention
• Container Friendly: Suitable for decorative containers while young

Landscape Uses

• Japanese-inspired gardens
• Ornamental focal point tree
• Front yard accent planting
• Patio and courtyard gardens
• Four-season landscape color

Care Tip: Morning sun with afternoon shade helps preserve the richest red foliage color in warmer climates. Mulch around the base to maintain cool, evenly moist roots.

Plant Condition Disclosure

Live plants may be shipped dormant, leafless, recently pruned, bare root, or partially defoliated depending on season, weather, and shipping requirements.

Natural variation in size, branching, foliage density, color, root structure, and overall appearance should be expected.

Important Note

You will receive a live starter plant (seedling/young plant). Listing photos show the plant at a mature stage for reference only. The actual plant size, shape, and appearance may vary and will be significantly smaller than the images shown.

Customer Notice for Live Plants

Live plants may experience normal shipping stress such as leaf loss, yellowing, wilting, or minor branch damage.

Please consider local weather before purchasing. Extreme heat, freezing temperatures, severe weather, shipping delays, or unattended packages may increase plant stress.

Due to the perishable nature of live plants, returns are generally not accepted. If there is an issue with your order, please contact us within 48 hours of delivery and provide the required photos for review.

• Photos of the shipping box
• Photo of the shipping label
• Clear photos of the plant from multiple angles
• Scratch test photos if the plant appears dead or dormant

Dormant, stressed, defoliated, wilted, or transit-shocked plants are not automatically considered dead.

Claims submitted without the required photos or more than 48 hours after delivery may not be eligible for review, replacement, or refund.