Colour in successive chapters
Pink spring growth deepens to purple-red in summer and peaks in brilliant scarlet in autumn.
Acer 'Pixie'® 19cm
Normal price
€36,00
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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 ‘Pixie’®
Small in stature, enormous in red 💥🍷
- Pink spring growth
- Deep purple-red summer foliage
- Compact upright crown
- Brilliant scarlet autumn colour
Acer palmatum ‘Pixie’® combines the deep red palette of a Japanese maple with small leaves and dense, upright branching. The new flush brings bright pink and red touches before the foliage deepens to purple shades. Slender lobes give the canopy a clear texture without making its silhouette feel heavy. In autumn, the red becomes brighter again, providing a vivid final display before the leaves fall.
Its concentrated form adds intensity without needing an elaborate planting around it. A low green base and a light-coloured background bring out the small red leaves, while in winter the dense branching keeps the outline of the canopy visible.
What makes it special
Three substantial qualities explain why ‘Pixie’ stands out both in close detail and in its overall presence.
Foliage that rewards a closer look
Small palmate leaves create a dense finely worked surface that keeps the dark colour lively.
A silhouette with design value
The compact upright silhouette brings intensity and structure without demanding great width.
Why you will love it: Small in stature, enormous in red and complete as a focal feature.
In the garden & on the balcony Placement & plant combinations A focal point in sheltered bright partial shade, with enough open space to appreciate its small upright crown with dense branching
Concentrated red colour
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 small upright crown with dense branching 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 1.5–2.5 m. In a pot choose a stable base, free drainage and a position where the roots are protected from overheating.
A bright lower layer
Yellow and cream lines bring light to the lower layer, while a small evergreen fern adds a different texture beside the red leaves. These companions share a preference for bright partial shade and organic soil that retains moisture while draining freely.
- Carex oshimensis ‘Evergold’ — yellow-striped evergreen foliage keeps the lower layer bright after the maple sheds its leaves.
- Ophiopogon planiscapus ‘Little Tabby’ — its small cream-striped clumps stay low and add fine detail beside the compact upright red crown
- Polystichum setiferum ‘Congestum Cristatum’ — its small dense evergreen rosette adds texture without visually overtaking the compact upright red crown
Care at a glance
Light
Bright partial shade or gentle morning sun, sheltered from fierce afternoon sun and drying wind.
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, sheltered from fierce afternoon sun and drying wind.
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 compact upright crown with deep purple-red 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 small upright crown with dense branching. 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: pink spring, purple-red summer and brilliant scarlet autumn colour, followed by natural leaf fall.
Mature form & dimensions
10–20 yearsHeight 1.5–2.5 mSpread 1.5–2.5 mCompact dense branching
Numerous short side shoots thicken the upright crown. Small purple leaves follow this branching.
Form through time
Spring–summerCompact dense branching
WinterBare branching after leaf fall
A bare winter framework is normal for a deciduous Acer. Colour and the timing of leaf fall depend on the local microclimate.
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 1.5–2.5 m in spread over 10–20 years. Growth usually remains more restrained in a pot.
History & origin Cultivar origin The compact purple-leaved ‘Pixie’
‘Pixie’ is cultivated as a compact, purple-leaved selection of Acer palmatum. It is often compared with ‘Bloodgood’ for its deep red colour and upright form, with smaller leaves and denser branching. That comparison describes its appearance rather than proving a particular parentage. Its original selector, parents 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
A seed’s small rotor
When a Japanese maple produces fruit, each winged pair consists of two samaras. A samara’s wing generates rotation as it falls and slows its descent, increasing the time during which air can carry the seed away.
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, sheltered from fierce afternoon sun and drying wind. A sheltered microclimate matters just as much as the number of hours of light.
02Why does its colour change through the year?
Summer purple-red varies in intensity with gentle light and temperature, while scarlet autumn colour is a natural peak.
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 × 1.5–2.5 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 1.5–2.5 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.
📦 Your plant travels protected
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.