From Fall color to fabulous structure, interesting leaves, and gorgeous bark, there are so many reasons to love Maples!
Maples are beloved by gardeners and offer enough range to bring delicacy and texture, or height and substance into virtually any landscape. Planted in the landscape or planted in containers, Maples add sophistication thanks to their unique forms, leaf colors, and shapes.
Slow-growing Japanese Maples look fantastic when planted alone in a large container, or underplanted with a simple, uniform groundcover. In containers, short or weeping Maples can be used on patios or entryways to add a bit of elegance without obstructing windows or views, while taller Maples are statuesque in containers on patios or in areas of the landscape that may be difficult to dig.
When planting a shorter Maple in the landscape, consider placing it in a location near the front of a bed for maximum exposure to its beautiful shape. Taller Maples can be used to create a statement layered behind other plants like conifers, ferns or perennials, but should be allowed enough space to show off their unique architecture. A Maple should always be pruned to highlight its internal structure by removing small or crossing branches that may interfere with the primary branching and fundamental shape of the plant.
Maples are right at home in Modern and Pacific Northwest garden designs, but the group as a whole is versatile enough to look at home in Traditional gardens and even those rich in tropical plants. View our Modern and Pacific Northwest Design Guides to find even more inspiration for how to use Maples in the landscape.
There are hundreds and hundreds of unique Maple varieties and cultivars. We’ve compiled a list of the 7 Best Maples for growing in the Pacific Northwest to simplify your search. Find the perfect Maple Tree for your landscape from our list of must-haves, and enjoy the many fabulous seasons of interest they bring to your garden!
1. Baby Lace Japanese Maple – Acer palmatum ‘Baby Lace’
Anyone seeking a delicate leaved, small specimen Japanese Maple should look no further than ‘Baby Lace’. With finely textured, dissected leaves and a graceful weeping form, this slow-growing cutie is ideal for a container or place of honor next to a pathway where it can be admired from all angles. The thin leaves emerge soft terra cotta orange and become green with bronze highlights as the growing season continues. In Autumn, Baby Lace Maple leaves electrify into brilliant shades of orange and red.
Grows to 4–5’ Tall by 4–5’ Wide; Slow Growing; Part Sun
2. Coral Bark Japanese Maple – Acer palmatum ‘Sango Kaku’
In Winter nothing can compete with the showstopping pinky red bark of Coral Bark Maples. The upright form sends multiple thin branches skyward that grow increasingly vibrant when they lack leaves, making it a great tree for corners of beds within eyeshot of indoor windows so that the color can be seen during grey days. Small, chartreuse green leaves decorate the tree during Spring and Summer, and in Fall the leaves turn bright yellow which is a stunning contrast against the bright coral bark.
Grows to 15–25’ Tall by 10–15’ Wide; Moderate Growing; Full Sun to Part Shade
3. Shaina Japanese Maple – Acer palmatum ‘Shaina’
Rich, burgundy red leaves are the primary draw when planting a Shaina Maple. This sturdy, small specimen tree is perfect for bringing a deep tone and texture into the garden, either in a container or planted directly into the ground. Shaina Maples are low-growing and have a compact, branched form that can be pruned to show more of the plant’s architecture or trained to look bushy. In Autumn, the foliage of the Shaina Maple will turn brighter red.
Grows to 6–8’ Tall by 8–10’ Wide; Slow Growing; Full Sun to Part Shade
4. Full Moon Japanese Maple – Acer shirasawanum
Full Moon Maples are perfect for gardeners seeking a small tree with beautiful branching and an upright, classic Japanese Maple look. Architecturally interesting and easy to care for, the Full Moon Maple can be grown as a stand-alone tree in a garden corner or as a feature by an entryway. The large, fan-like lobed leaves of the Full Moon Maple emerge crinkled and yellow-orange before quickly maturing to a beautiful, acidic bright green. In Fall, cultivars like Autumn Moon put on a vibrant display of every shade of yellow, orange, and even red.
Grows to 8–12’ Tall by 6–8’ Wide; Moderate Growing; Full Sun to Part Shade
5. Vine Maple (Native) – Acer circinatum
Native to the Pacific Northwest, Vine Maples are multi-stemmed and can be grown as a small tree, large shrub, or even a screen. Vine Maples have a layered branching habit that makes them an airy addition to the landscape, helping to provide height without overwhelming the space as denser foliage plants might. The new growth of the Vine maple emerges with a slight reddish undertone before maturing to grass green. In the Autumn, the leaves turn gold and orange, and cultivars like Pacific Fire continue to add glorious color into Winter with their red-orange bark.
Grows to 10–15’ Tall by 10–15’ Wide; Moderate Growing; Part Sun to Full Shade
6. Red Sunset Maple – Acer rubrum
One quick look at the leaves of Red Sunset Maple in the Fall and it’s easy to see why our neighbors to the North chose to put the crimson leaf front and center on the Canadian Flag. This classic, upright Maple is perfect for larger landscapes or generous boulevards, with rich green leaves and a sturdy branching habit. Gardeners seeking narrower options should seek out Red Rocket, which features the same color with a tighter canopy. In Fall, you can’t help but notice and appreciate the brilliant red coloration of the foliage.
Grows to 40–50’ Tall by 30–40’ Wide; Moderate to Fast Growing; Full Sun to Part Sun
7. Paperbark Maple – Acer griseum
Though Paperbark Maples may not immediately be what you picture when you think of a Maple, they are fantastic for planting in small gardens or using as street trees. The extremely textural, peeling bark is cinnamon to burgundy brown, and stands out even when the tree is covered in leaves. The foliage is a pleasant, matte true green and turns rich red in Autumn, making this true one of the best options out there for year-round interest.
Grows to 20–25’ Tall by 15–20’ Wide; Slow to Moderate Growing; Full Sun to Part Sun
Dennis’ 7 Dees Garden Centers are open all year round and we can help you find a fabulous new Maple that will bring elegance and interest to your garden! Visit us to browse our selection and talk through your options for container gardening or large landscape Maples with one of our experts.