Grown in gardens worldwide, Acer palmatum is a species famed for its dramatic leaf displays in fall. One Japanese maple variety, Acer palmatum 'Bloodgood', for example, undergoes a dramatic transformation, with deep purple leaves turning a fluorescent pinkish-red in October and November - quite a spectacle to behold.
Japanese maples have long been grown as bonsai trees, chosen not only for their spectacular seasonality but also due to their ease of care. Japanese maples are ideal for bonsai beginners, happily settling into small pots and responding well to pruning and shaping, quickly developing a canopy full of attractive palm-shaped leaves.
