Acer palmatum 'Red Panda' Japanese Maple
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Acer palmatum ‘Red Panda™’ is a rare and highly collectible dwarf Japanese maple prized for its compact size, layered branching habit, and exceptional orange-red spring color. Part of the Mikawa Family Collection, ‘Red Panda™’ has the tight, layered growth habit reminiscent of ‘Mikawa yatsubusa’, but stands out with its brilliant orange-red spring foliage that holds its color well into late spring and early summer. Throughout summer, new growth continues to emerge in vibrant shades of orange-red, adding repeated bursts of seasonal color. In autumn, the foliage transforms into a brilliant fiery red. Its compact size makes ‘Red Panda™’ an excellent choice for smaller landscapes, Japanese gardens, containers, and collector gardens.
- Growth Habit: Compact, dwarf, and tightly layered with a graceful branching structure
- 10-Year Size: Approximately 3–4 ft tall and 3–4 ft wide
- Growth Rate: Slow to moderate
- Foliage: Layered, finely textured foliage emerging brilliant orange-red in spring and producing additional orange-red new growth throughout summer
- Fall Color: Brilliant fiery red
- Origin: Rare dwarf selection of Acer palmatum in the Mikawa Family Collection
- Light: Morning sun to partial shade; afternoon shade is recommended in hotter climates to help protect the vibrant foliage
- Soil: Moist, well-drained soil rich in organic matter
- Hardiness: Zones 5–9
- Best Uses: Japanese gardens, rock gardens, containers, small landscapes, specimen plantings, collector gardens, and woodland gardens
- Best Feature: Exceptional orange-red spring color combined with a compact, layered Mikawa-type growth habit
- Garden Interest: Provides multiple seasons of color, from brilliant orange-red spring foliage and colorful summer flushes to fiery red fall color
- Why You'll Love It: A rare and distinctive dwarf Japanese maple that combines the highly desirable layered form of the Mikawa family with unusually long-lasting orange-red foliage, making it an outstanding choice for collectors and smaller landscapes.