Acer palmatum ‘Pixie’

‘Pixie’ is a compact dwarf Japanese maple, possibly a sport from ‘Bloodgood’, with the same kind of rich red colouring on a much smaller plant. New leaves emerge bright pink-red in spring, deepen to rich red through summer, and finish with fiery scarlet in autumn.

It forms a bushy mounded tree with deeply cut, pointed lobes, eventually reaching around 2m tall and wide in ten years. Ideal for a large container or the front of a small garden.

Plant in moist, well-drained, slightly acidic soil in sun to partial shade. Can take more sun than many palmatums, though afternoon shade helps in hot spots. Minimal pruning, only in late summer to avoid sap bleed.

A proper specimen for a patio pot, a small courtyard, or a compact front garden where a full-size acer would outgrow its spot.