There are several Japanese maple cultivars that are well-suited for bonsai, as they have smaller leaves and compact growth habits. Some of the best, unique and recommended Japanese maple cultivars for bonsai include (the list is in no particular order):
*Also read types of Japanese maple bonsai tree (29 varieties) to know about other varieties that can be used to make a bonsai.
1. Acer palmatum ‘Kiyohime’
Acer palmatum ‘Kiyohime’ is a popular choice for bonsai because of its slow growth, small size, and compact, dense foliage. Its leaves are also very small, making it an ideal candidate for miniature bonsai styles. The foliage has bright purple border in early spring and in fall it turns into beautiful bold red. It naturally has a dome shaped canopy and is very easy to wire train. Continue reading about how to wire a bonsai tree.
Additionally, the tree’s bark develops attractive textures and patterns as it ages, adding to its overall visual appeal as a bonsai specimen. It is one of the most tough and durable tree.
2. Acer palmatum ‘Mikawa Yatsubusa’
Acer palmatum ‘Mikawa Yatsubusa’ is a popular cultivar for bonsai because of its small size, dense foliage, and attractive appearance. Its leaves are small, deeply lobed, and grow closely together, creating a compact and full canopy that looks great in a bonsai pot. It has a natural bonsai like growth habit.
The tree’s trunk also develops interesting patterns and bark as it ages, making it a great candidate for bonsai training and styling. The leaves are beautiful green that turn orangish-red in the fall.
Additionally, Mikawa Yatsubusa is relatively easy to care for and adaptable to a wide range of growing conditions, making it a good choice for beginners and experienced bonsai enthusiasts alike.
3. Acer palmatum ‘nishiki gawa’
Acer palmatum ‘Nishiki gawa’ is a good choice for bonsai because of its unique bark (pine bark) and trunk texture, which develops a rugged, corky appearance as the tree ages. In fact the fissured look of the bark is one of the main reasons why it is grown as a bonsai. In just almost 10-12 years, the tree will look almost a 100 year old because of the fissured bark.
It also has small, delicate leaves that change color throughout the seasons, with shades of green, yellow, orange, red and pink. it displays some of the most amazing fall colors.
Additionally, ‘Nishiki gawa’ has a compact growth habit, which makes it ideal for smaller bonsai containers. Overall, it is a visually appealing tree that is well-suited for bonsai enthusiasts of all levels.
4. Acer palmatum ‘shin Deshojo’
Acer palmatum ‘shin deshojo’ (meaning improved deshojo) is a popular Japanese maple cultivar for bonsai due to its small size, stunning bright red spring foliage, and delicate, lacy leaves. It also has a relatively fast growth rate and responds well to pruning and wiring. With pinch back pruning method, the size of the leaves can also be reduced greatly. Continue reading about how to prune a bonsai tree.
The tree’s compact and bushy growth habit, small size and beautiful fall color makes it an ideal choice for small to medium-sized bonsai. In addition, it is hardy and easy to care for, making it suitable for both beginner and experienced bonsai growers.
5. Acer palmatum ‘shishigashira’
Acer palmatum ‘Shishigashira’ also known as lion’s head japanese maple, is a slow-growing Japanese maple variety with compact, bushy growth and dense foliage, making it an excellent choice for bonsai. Its leaves are small and toothed, and its branching structure creates an interesting silhouette for bonsai styling.
This tree is being used to make bonsai for 100s of years. The curled small leaves make this variety a highly suitable tree for a bonsai. The foliage is green and turns orange with hints of orange, yellow and red in fall, adding to its appeal as a bonsai specimen.
Additionally, it is hardy and adaptable to different growing conditions, making it easier to care for and maintain as a bonsai.
6. Acer Palmatum ‘Beni-Chidori’
Acer Palmatum ‘Beni-Chidori’ is a good choice for bonsai because of its unique foliage color and texture. The leaves are a deep red with a hint of pink in the spring and fall, and a bronze-green during the summer. The bark has a distinct texture with cork-like ridges that add to the aesthetic appeal of the tree.
Its compact size and slow growth rate also make it ideal for bonsai cultivation. In conclusion, the striking foliage and bark of the Beni-Chidori cultivar make it a popular choice for bonsai enthusiasts.
7. Acer palmatum ‘seigen‘
Acer palmatum ‘Seigen’ is a great choice for bonsai because of its small size, compact growth habit, and interesting foliage color. Its leaves are deeply divided, with serrated edges and a bright green color that turns to golden-yellow in the fall.
Additionally, the bark of the tree is smooth and gray, which provides a nice contrast to the vibrant foliage. The tree is also known for its strong, sturdy trunk and branches, which make it easy to shape and train as a bonsai. As a whole, Acer palmatum ‘Seigen’ is a beautiful and hardy tree that is perfect for bonsai enthusiasts of all skill levels.
8. Acer palmatum ‘Katsura’
Acer palmatum ‘Katsura’ is a good choice for bonsai due to its attractive foliage color and texture. In the spring, the leaves emerge in shades of pink, peach, and yellow, gradually turning green in the summer.
It is green in summer. In the fall, the leaves turn vibrant shades of orange and yellow, providing a stunning display of autumn color. The leaves of ‘Katsura’ are also unique in their crinkled texture, adding visual interest to the bonsai. Additionally, ‘Katsura’ is a slow-growing cultivar, making it well-suited for bonsai cultivation.
9. Acer palmatum ‘Kashima’
Acer palmatum ‘Kashima’ is a great choice for bonsai because of its compact and slow-growing nature, which makes it perfect for small spaces. It is a perfect Japanese maple bonsai tree fro apartments.
It has beautiful deep red foliage in the spring that turns to a deep green color in the summer, and finally a stunning bright orange in the fall.
Its delicate and fine leaves give it an elegant and refined appearance, which is highly sought after in bonsai. Additionally, its hardy and disease-resistant nature makes it a popular choice for beginners and experienced bonsai growers alike.
10. Acer palmatum ‘Arakawa’
A little difficult tree to obtain, Acer palmatum ‘Arakawa’ is a great choice for bonsai because of its unique bark texture and interesting growth habit. The bark of the tree has a rough and corky appearance, which adds to its visual appeal as a bonsai.
Additionally, its small size and slow growth rate make it well-suited for bonsai cultivation.
The foliage of the tree is green in the summer and turns yellow-orange in the fall, providing a beautiful display of color. Overall, the combination of its bark texture and foliage color make it an attractive and interesting choice for bonsai enthusiasts.
Continue reading about Japanese maple bonsai care.
