Acer palmatum ‘Okagami’

Acer ‘Okagami’ is a firm favourite on our nursery for its striking, season-long colour. The name means ‘large mirror’ in Japanese, and you can see why in the glossy leaves. They emerge a rich purple-red in spring, slowly deepening to a dark, blackish-red in summer, often with some green tints showing through before the grand finale of scarlet red in autumn. In spring, small reddish-purple flowers may appear, sometimes followed by winged purple fruits.

This is a small, slow-growing tree with an upright habit, eventually spreading to create a lovely vase shape. Over 10 to 20 years, you can expect it to reach a height of around 4 metres. It prefers a moist but well-drained soil. For the best leaf colour, we suggest a spot in partial shade, though it can handle full sun if the soil stays reliably moist. It’s best to find it a spot sheltered from strong winds.

Like most Japanese maples, ‘Okagami’ needs very little pruning. If you need to shape it or remove crossing branches, the best time is from late autumn to mid-winter when the tree is dormant. Pruning at other times can cause the sap to ‘bleed’, which weakens the plant. It’s an excellent choice for smaller gardens, city courtyards, or as a standout specimen in a container.