Metamorphosa® Japanese Maple

The Metamorphosa® Japanese Maple USPP#32,420 (Acer palmatum 'ARJOS1') is a vibrant, color-changing ornamental tree that brings year-round visual drama! This Proven Winners® selection puts on a dazzling display: chartreuse-yellow spring foliage soon edged in pink that changes to white with shades of red and orange highlights. Then you can expect a fiery fall finale of red, orange, violet, and yellow!

Compact and upright with deeply lobed, delicate leaves, its smaller, shrubby form is perfect for smaller gardens, borders, and even large containers. A true color-shifting star, this variegated Japanese Maple lives up to its name!

Metamorphosa® features an elegant vase shape with strong, upright branching that matures into a rounded canopy around 5-13 feet tall and 3-10 feet wide. Its serrated, palmate leaves emerge vividly in spring, changing tones with the seasons.

Key Features

• Unique, smaller variegated Japanese Maple!
• Dynamic seasonal foliage: yellow, green, pink, red, and purple
• Compact size and vase-shaped, upright form
• Non-toxic & pollinator-friendly
• Perfect for small spaces and containers

Landscaping Uses

Native to Japan and selected for outstanding foliage performance, Japanese Maples have long been celebrated for their symbolism of peace and beauty in traditional gardens and widely beloved for bonsai and ornamental use.

Metamorphosa® is the ultimate specimen tree for accenting borders or patios. With its manageable size and ever-changing color palette, it makes a statement in tight spots! The bark is smooth and gray, and the root system is relatively shallow, making it perfect for underplanting or adding shade to patios and walkways without overwhelming nearby plants.

• Specimen or focal point tree
• Shade for patios and seating areas
• Container planting
• Meditation gardens, Asian-style or Zen gardens
• Understory tree in mixed borders

Care & Maintenance

This deciduous woody ornamental is relatively easy to care for and offers four-season beauty with minimal fuss. It’s heat-tolerant and cold-hardy, though it appreciates protection from strong afternoon sun and drying winds. Cold-hardy in USDA zones 5-8, it thrives in moist, well-drained soils and prefers dappled sun or afternoon shade in hot climates.

• Planting Time: Spring or fall planting is best
• Sun Requirements: Part sun to filtered shade; avoid intense afternoon sun
• Soil Requirements: Moist, rich, well-drained soil; tolerates average garden soil
• Moisture Needs: Keep soil consistently moist; use the Finger Test to monitor
• Arborist Mulch: Apply a 3-4 inch layer of arborist mulch to retain moisture
• Fertilization Needs: Use a slow-release fertilizer in early spring or compost to enhance soil quality
• Pruning Info: Minimal pruning needed; prune in late winter to shape or remove dead/damaged branches
• Special Perks/Growing Tips:
• Cold-hardy, heat-tolerant
• Pest-resistant
• Great for small spaces

Fall In Love With Metamorphosa®'s Ever-Changing Charm

From spring's glowing edges to fall's flaming finale, Metamorphosa® Japanese Maple is a dynamic, multi-season showstopper. This small tree offers immense beauty in a compact form. Order your Metamorphosa® Japanese Maple today and enjoy living color from !

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