Colour in successive chapters
The red edge of fresh green growth gives way to clear summer green and then to yellow and orange autumn colour.
2
Acer 'little princess'® 19cm
Normal price
€35,00
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 ‘Little Princess’®
- Dwarf compact habit
- Red-edged young growth
- Bright green foliage
- Yellow-orange autumn colour
Acer palmatum ‘Little Princess’® catches the eye with one small, precious detail: the fine red line embracing its fresh green leaves. In spring, every edge seems carefully picked out, as though separately illuminated within the dense crown. Summer makes the picture cool green and calm, before warm yellow and orange shades take over in autumn. This is a maple that brings the pleasure of close observation into an everyday walk around the garden.
Its low, dense and softly spreading habit suits small courtyards, sheltered terraces and the front layer of borders. It retains the presence of a true Japanese maple at a more approachable scale, creating a complete focal point without overwhelming the setting.
What makes it special
Three substantial qualities explain why ‘Little Princess’ stands out both in close detail and in its overall presence.
Foliage that rewards a closer look
Small palmate leaves keep the low crown dense, orderly and rich in detail.
A silhouette with design value
The delicate low-spreading silhouette works as a complete small-scale focal point.
Why you will love it: The charm of a Japanese maple at compact scale, with colour that never stops evolving.
In the garden & on the balcony Placement & plant combinations A focal point in sheltered bright partial shade, with enough open space to appreciate its dwarf compact crown with a low spreading habit
Small seasonal focal point
Use it as a focal point near an entrance, sheltered seating area or in the middle layer of a cool mixed planting. At maturity, it develops a dwarf compact crown with a low spreading habit and benefits from a calm background and sufficient open space to retain its natural architecture.
For several plants retaining a free natural crown, allow centre-to-centre spacing close to the mature spread of 1–1.5 m. In a pot choose a stable base, free drainage and a position where the roots are protected from overheating.
Cream and green
Cream stripes, small evergreen ferns and yellow spring flowers bring out the green leaves and their red margins. These companions share a preference for bright partial shade and organic soil that retains moisture while draining freely.
- Ophiopogon planiscapus ‘Little Tabby’ — its small cream-striped clumps stay low and add fine detail beside the small low-spreading crown
- Polystichum setiferum ‘Congestum Cristatum’ — its small dense evergreen rosette adds texture without visually overtaking the small low-spreading crown
- Epimedium × perralchicum ‘Fröhnleiten’ — spreads low evergreen foliage and bright yellow spring flowers in front of the small low-spreading crown
Care at a glance
Light
Bright partial shade or gentle morning sun, 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 gentle morning sun, 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
Choose a stable outdoor pot with unobstructed drainage and a structured growing mix. Check the available root space periodically and move to a larger pot when roots fill it. Keep enough room around the crown for its natural outline.
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 a low compact crown with fine palmate foliageCareful 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 dwarf compact crown with a low spreading habit. 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: green spring with red margins and yellow-orange autumn colour, followed by natural leaf fall.
Mature form & dimensions
Maturity 10–20 yearsHeight 1.5–2.5 mSpread 1–1.5 mDwarf compact crown with a low spreading habit
Small leaves cover a dense, low-branching crown. Dimensions vary with age and site.
Form through time
Deciduous
Spring → summerSmall green leaves
WinterThe same branching after leaf fall
The leaves fall naturally in autumn. Winter reveals the woody framework that will support new growth the following spring.
What to expect after planting: In a suitable position in open ground, the mature form reaches approximately 1.5–2.5 m in height and 1–1.5 m in spread over 10–20 years. Growth usually remains more restrained in a pot.
History & origin Cultivar origin A small-leaved selection with a low canopy
‘Little Princess’ is one of the small-leaved Japanese maple selections. It differs from the similar ‘Kiyo-hime’ in having less red in the leaf stalks and branches and develops a broad, low crown. Its original selector and creation date are not known with certainty.
Greenleaf for Plant NerdsScience nobody asked forBotanical details for anyone curious about what lies behind the plant’s appearance
Small but still one leaf
The small leaf of ‘Little Princess’ is palmate: its lobes spread like fingers around a shared point. They remain joined in one blade with one stalk. The fine divisions you see therefore belong to a single leaf rather than a group of separate leaflets.
How autumn is revealed
Summer green is associated with chlorophyll. Before leaf fall, chlorophyll breaks down, allowing the yellow and orange carotenoid pigments to become more visible. In ‘Little Princess’, yellow and orange are the characteristic colours of this final seasonal stage.
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 warm European regions?
Bright partial shade or gentle morning sun, with shelter from fierce afternoon sun and drying winds. A sheltered microclimate matters just as much as the number of hours of light.
02Why do the red leaf edges fade?
The red margin appears mainly on fresh growth and becomes subtler as the leaves mature to green.
03Can it remain in a pot?
It can grow for years in a large outdoor pot with free drainage and even moisture. As it matures towards 1.5–2.5 m × 1–1.5 m, check available root space periodically and move to a larger pot when required.
04How large does it become and how quickly?
In a suitable position in open ground it reaches approximately 1.5–2.5 m in height and 1–1.5 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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Every order is prepared with care so your plant arrives upright, secure and safe.
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.