Purple Ghost Japanese Maple (Acer palmatum 'Purple Ghost') | Dramatic Foliage

1/4

Purple Ghost Japanese Maple

Acer palmatum ‘Purple Ghost’

A dramatic Japanese maple with deeply divided, ruby-red spring foliage featuring striking black veining, and brilliant orange-red fall color.

$629.00

Quality Guarantee

Free Delivery Over $199

+1 650-241-8858 (SMS ok)

Local Plant Delivery

Delivered by our local network

Current Nursery Inventory

Availability reflects current sourcing

Living Plants

Size, shape and branching naturally vary

Description

Acer palmatum 'Purple Ghost' is a stunning, mid-sized deciduous tree celebrated for its dramatic, deeply divided foliage that emerges in a rich, ruby-red to deep purple hue with prominent black veining, creating an almost ethereal, "ghostly" effect. This vigorous, upright-growing Japanese maple holds its striking color well into summer before the leaves transition to brilliant shades of crimson, orange, and gold in autumn. Its finely dissected, lace-like leaves and elegant, spreading form make it an exceptional focal point for woodland gardens, Asian-inspired landscapes, and mixed borders, where its dramatic coloration can be fully appreciated. Exceptionally hardy and relatively low-maintenance, it thrives in partial shade, making it an outstanding choice for gardeners seeking a reliable, high-impact ornamental tree.

Quick Facts

Needs confirmation

Foliage & Flowers: Deeply divided, lace-like leaves emerging ruby-red to deep purple with prominent black veining, maturing to purple-red, then brilliant crimson, orange, and gold in autumn; small, inconspicuous reddish flowers in spring.
Mature Height: 10-15 ft (3-4.5 m) .
Mature Spread: 6-8 ft (1.8-2.4 m) .
Growth Rate: Moderate .
Hardiness Zones: USDA 5-9 .
Light Requirement: Partial shade to filtered sun (afternoon shade is essential in hot climates) .
Core Benefits: Dramatic ruby-red spring color, striking black veining, excellent fall color, vigorous upright habit, relatively low-maintenance, ideal specimen tree.
Best Uses: Focal point, woodland gardens, Asian-inspired landscapes, mixed borders, containers, courtyard gardens.

Faqs

Q: How large does 'Purple Ghost' Japanese Maple get?
A: It is a mid-sized tree, typically reaching 10-15 feet in height and 6-8 feet in spread at maturity, with a vigorous, upright growth habit .

Q: What makes the foliage unique?
A: The deeply divided, lace-like leaves emerge in spring with a stunning ruby-red to deep purple color and prominent black veining, creating an almost ethereal, "ghostly" effect. The color holds well into summer before turning brilliant crimson, orange, and gold in autumn.

Q: How much sun does it need?
A: It performs best in partial shade to filtered sun. In hotter climates, protection from harsh afternoon sun is essential to prevent leaf scorch and maintain the richness of its foliage color.

Q: Is it difficult to grow?
A: No, it is relatively low-maintenance and adaptable once established. It prefers moist, well-drained, slightly acidic soil and benefits from a layer of mulch to keep its shallow roots cool.

Q: Is it a good choice for a container?
A: Yes, its moderate size and slow growth habit make it an excellent choice for large containers, where its dramatic foliage can be showcased on a patio or deck.

📍 Primary Delivery Area · San Francisco Bay Area

Local delivery across the Bay Area — and beyond.

San Francisco Bay Area is our primary local delivery market. Victory Nursery also serves additional California markets and selected extended delivery areas by arrangement.

Regular local delivery: San Francisco, Peninsula, South Bay, East Bay, Marin, Tracy / Mountain House and surrounding service areas.

Shop now

Discover More from Victory Nursery