Gardener Direct offers over 150 outstanding and unique varieties of Japanese Maple. Not all are always available. We are testing and adding new varieties every year. Our container-grown maples are expertly grown from grafts with the utmost care. Before we offer them for sale, plants are fully rooted and well-branched in 2, 3 or 5 gallon containers. 

To determine hardiness and overall performance in the landscape, each variety of Japanese Maple has been field-tested in our trial gardens here in mid-Georgia. This means you can count on the specific information we provide about each plant.

More about the Moonfire Japanese Maple...

'Moonfire' is a fast growing Japanese maple that hold it's color better in shade than other red leaf cultivars in our gardens. It will also tolerate and hold its color well in full sun. The foliage emerges dark purple and fades to more of a red color during the summer and then a bright, spectacular, firey-red in fall. It's leaves are slightly translucent and tend to glow when the sun lights them from behind. One of our favorites!

Japanese maples stand out best when they are planted as a single specimen or in small groupings. Use them to accentuate an entryway or as a focal point to draw attention to a certain area of the landscape or home. Be careful not too overcrowd your Japanese Maple. We suggest underplanting with dwarf, low growing shrubs or groundcovers.

Culture & Care

When provided the right environment in the landscape Japanese Maples are very easy to grow and care for, and long lived.

Soil - Japanese maples adapt well to many soil types provided there is good drainage. Consistently wet or soggy soils can be a killer.

Sun -  Some varieties will tolerate full sun. However, in their natural habitat, Japanese Maples are understory trees, growing in dappled forest sunlight and at the edges of partially shaded woodlands. Ideally they prefer to be grown in similar conditions, especially in the warmer climate of the Deep South.

Water - During the first two summers after planting a Japanese Maple, make sure to water enough to keep soil damp but not soggy. Constantly wet feet can cause serious problems. Proper planting method can ensure proper drainage over the long term.

Pruning - When a specific variety of Japanese maple is planted in the right size space; where it have room to grow to mature size, rarely will it require pruning. That beings said, removal of damaged or stray branches that spoil the form of the tree can be performed almost any time of year. Heavy or major pruning is best left to professionals. If you hire someone to prune your Japanese maple make sure he/she has the credentials and ALWAYS check references.

Planting Your Japanese Maple

SEE: Detailed Planting Instructions For How To Plant A Japanese Maple in the Ground