Purple colour with depth
Leaves with around seven lobes hold rich bronze and burgundy tones, creating a dense plane of colour.
9
Acer 'Atropurpureum'® 10.5cm
Normal price
€10,00
What does the legal guarantee mean for plants?
The legal guarantee concerns the plant’s conformity at delivery. It is not a guarantee of survival or growth for two years. Each issue is assessed taking into account the nature of the plant, its care and the conditions in which it is kept. Your statutory rights remain unaffected.
Acer palmatum 'Atropurpureum'
The classic “red Acer” that became a benchmark 🍁
- Bronze-crimson foliage
- Broad bushy crown
- Brilliant red autumn colour
- Classic architectural presence
Acer palmatum ‘Atropurpureum’ is the timeless expression of a purple-leaved Japanese maple. Palmate leaves open bronze-crimson, deepen into rich purple and complete the year in brilliant red, creating a dependable colour anchor from spring to autumn. The depth of its palette immediately brings maturity to a planting and makes the whole composition feel more considered.
Its broad, bushy and well-branched crown gradually develops a strong architectural presence. As a young plant it can command a sheltered terrace or courtyard; over time it becomes a small garden tree whose dark foliage forms an exceptional background for brighter textures.
What makes it special
Three substantial qualities explain why ‘Atropurpureum’ remains a benchmark among red Japanese maples.
Broad natural architecture
The bushy crown spreads and branches into a balanced small tree over time.
A brilliant red autumn peak
Before leaf fall, deep purple ignites into brighter red and orange.
Why you will love it: It delivers the classic deep red of Japanese maples together with an imposing, naturally branched crown.
In the garden & on the balcony Placement & plant combinations A strong colour focal point in a sheltered position, with room for the future broad crown
Where purple foliage gains architectural strength
Use it as a specimen small tree in a sheltered courtyard or garden, or initially in a large outdoor pot near an entrance. The mature crown becomes broad and should be kept away from narrow routes or plants that would press against its natural outline.
For several freely developing trees, use the verified mature spread of 4–8 m as the spacing guide and allow a comparable centre-to-centre distance. A pot suits younger stages, but open ground gives the best long-term prospects.
Combinations that work
The deep purple and red palette of ‘Atropurpureum’ becomes clearer beside golden and yellow lines with evergreen green texture. All three choices suit bright partial shade and organic soil with even moisture and good drainage, creating clean layers around the Acer’s natural form.
- Hakonechloa macra ‘All Gold’ — creates a low luminous golden-yellow base that makes the deep-purple broad crown appear even deeper
- Carex oshimensis ‘Evergold’ — keeps a fine evergreen yellow line in the foreground and lights up the deep-purple broad crown throughout the year
- Polystichum setiferum — its soft evergreen rosettes retain green winter structure and quietly support the deep-purple broad crown
Care at a glance
Light
Bright partial shade or morning sun; gentle light supports rich purple colour, with shelter from fierce afternoon sun and drying winds.
Watering
Water thoroughly when the upper layer begins to dry, maintaining even moisture without waterlogging; check pots more frequently in hot weather.
Climate & hardiness
Deciduous and hardy in winter cold; fresh growth benefits from shelter against late frost, hot dry air and extreme summer exposure.
Safety
An ornamental plant, not food. It is not intended for consumption; place it away from children or animals that tend to chew plant material.
Detailed careComplete care guideLight, microclimate, ground planting, pots, growing medium, watering, feeding, pruning and the winter cycle
Light & microclimate
Bright partial shade or morning sun; gentle light supports rich purple colour, with shelter from fierce afternoon sun and drying winds.
Planting in the ground
Plant in fertile, organic, acid to neutral soil that retains moisture yet drains freely. Keep the root collar level with the surrounding soil and allow the natural crown the space indicated by its mature habit.
Growing in a pot
Use a roomy, stable outdoor pot with unobstructed drainage holes and a structured growing medium that resists compaction. It can grow for several years in a large outdoor pot, but its verified mature size is substantial. Open ground is the best choice for full long-term development.
Watering & cool roots
Water thoroughly when the upper layer begins to dry, maintaining even moisture without waterlogging; check pots more frequently in hot weather. An organic mulch helps buffer sudden changes in moisture and temperature.
Feeding & clean foliage
A light application of balanced fertiliser in early spring is usually sufficient. Avoid excessive nitrogen and late feeding, which encourage soft new growth.
Pruning & the winter cycle
Pruning is rarely necessary. Remove only dead, damaged or awkwardly crossing branches after leaf fall and before midwinter. A bare crown in winter is entirely normal.
Development over timeFrom a young Acer to broad, bushy and well-branched crownCareful establishment gradually gives way to characteristic natural branching and increasingly rich seasonal changes.
First establishment
After planting, new growth may be restrained while the root system settles. Even moisture and a sheltered microclimate matter more than rapid extension.
The natural habit becomes clear
As the main shoots branch, the plant gradually develops a broad, bushy and well-branched crown. Its natural line is most attractive when it is not clipped into a rigid shape.
A mature seasonal rhythm
With maturity it repeats its distinctive colour cycle each year: bronze-crimson spring, deep burgundy summer and brilliant red autumn, followed by natural leaf fall.
Mature form & dimensions
Maturity 10–20 yearsHeight 4–8 mSpread 4–8 mBroad, bushy and well-branched crown
Indicative natural silhouette; verified mature dimensions 4–8 m high × 4–8 m wide.
The palette through the year
Deciduous
Spring → summerBronze-crimson and deep burgundy
AutumnBrilliant red and orange
The crown is naturally bare in winter. Colour intensity and timing vary with light, temperature and microclimate.
What to expect after planting: In a suitable position in open ground, the mature form reaches approximately 4–8 m in height and 4–8 m in spread over 10–20 years. Growth usually remains more restrained in a pot.
History & origin Cultivar origin A historic name from the nineteenth century
Acer palmatum ‘Atropurpureum’ has a history reaching back to the nineteenth century. The name became associated with the purple-leaved form distributed by Van Houtte’s nursery and illustrated in volume 12 of Flore des Serres, dated 1857 and published in 1859. In 1881, George Nicholson recorded it as Acer palmatum f. atropurpureum, transferring the earlier name from Acer polymorphum.
Over time, ‘Atropurpureum’ came into wider use for different purple-leaved selections and also for plants raised from seed. That history explains why trees bearing the same name can show small differences in their foliage and in how well its colour lasts. The name does not always denote a single clone.
Greenleaf for Plant NerdsScience nobody asked forBotanical details for anyone curious about what lies behind the plant’s appearance
Amoenum horticultural group
This cultivar belongs to the Amoenum Group, whose leaves usually carry seven to nine broader lobes, with the divisions reaching roughly two thirds into the blade.
How the samara works
A maple's ‘winged fruit’ is botanically a pair of one-seeded samaras. The asymmetric wing slows the fall and creates autorotation, helping the seed travel away from the crown.
Frequently asked questions
Six practical answers covering light, seasonal colour, pots, mature size, pruning and winter leaf fall.
01How much sun will it tolerate in Greece?
Bright partial shade or morning sun; gentle light supports rich purple colour, with shelter from fierce afternoon sun and drying winds. A sheltered microclimate matters just as much as the number of hours of light.
02Why does its colour change through the year?
Foliage opens bronze-purple, deepens through the season and becomes brilliant red in autumn. Very deep shade can give it a greener appearance.
03Can it remain in a pot?
It can grow for several years in a large outdoor pot, but its verified mature size is substantial. Open ground is the best choice for full long-term development.
04How large does it become and how quickly?
In a suitable position in open ground it reaches approximately 4–8 m in height and 4–8 m in spread over 10–20 years. Microclimate and available root space influence the rate.
05Does it need pruning to hold its shape?
Usually not; its natural architecture is central to its beauty. If cleaning is needed, work after leaf fall and before midwinter, removing only what is necessary.
06Is it normal for the tree to be bare in winter?
Yes. It is deciduous and sheds its leaves in autumn after completing its colour cycle. Fresh growth returns in spring.
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Individual protection
Plants in pots with a capacity of 3 litres or more are placed in individual boxes that hold the pot securely and reduce the risk of tipping over.
Sturdy packaging
We use reinforced cardboard designed to protect against impacts and vibration during transport.