Red ‘N Summer Japanese Maple

Acer palmatum ‘Hefner’s Red Select’

Plant Details

USDA Plant Hardiness Zones: 6a-9b Find Your Zone

Height at Maturity: 15-20′

Width at Maturity: 10-15′

Growth Habit / Form: Upright

Growth Rate: Moderate

Foliage Color in Spring: Burgundy-red

Foliage Color in Summer: Dark Burgundy

Foliage Color in Fall: Bright Red

Light Needs: Full Sun or Mostly Sun, Morning Sun with Dappled or Afternoon Shade, All Day Filtered Sun, Morning Shade with Evening Sun, Mostly Shade

Water Needs: Average, moderately drought tolerant when established

Soil Type: Sandy, Loam & Clay (Condition heavy clay soils when planting)

Drainage: Well drained soil is a must!

Soil pH: 5.0 – 7.0 is ideal

Maintenance: Low

Resistances: Deer, Heat Tolerant, Insect, Disease, Sun Tolerant

Description

Since 2010, the Hefner’s Red ‘N Summer Japanese Maple growing in our north-central Georgia gardens have outperformed all other red varieties for summer color retention in full sun. Leaves emerge deep burgundy-red in spring turning to burgundy in summer and finally a bright glowing red in fall. Similar to the Bloodgood Japanese maple in habit and form, Hefner’s Red will grow to 20 feet in height with a similar spread, so give it ample room to grow. Its exceptional sun tolerance and color earns this rare and handsome selection a spot in every Japanese Maple lovers landscape!

Landscape & Garden Uses

To showcase its magnificence and beauty the Red ‘N Summer Japanese Maple is best used in the landscape as a focal point specimen to draw attention to a specific area of the home or landscape. That being said, you can plant them in groupings of three or plant one on both sides of an entryway to accentuate the entrance.

Suggested Spacing: At least 20′ for space between trees

Note: One Japanese Maple can make a landscape…that is if you don’t overcrowd it with other trees and plants. Therefore, when selecting companions to plant under or around your Japanese Maple, make sure to select low-growing shrubs or groundcover plants that won’t interfere at all with your tree.

Growing Preferences

Though delicate looking, Japanese Maples are actually very tough and long-lived trees. They are very easy to grow. Container culture can extend their useful range. They are extremely easy to grow in containers, a practice taken to its most extreme form in the art of bonsai.

Most any average garden soil will grow Japanese Maples. They prefer a moist but well-drained soil rich in organic matter. As with so many other ornamental plants and trees, constantly soggy or wet soil can be problematic. So make sure to plant your Japanese Maple in a well-drained site.

In their natural habitat, Japanese Maples are understory trees, growing in dappled forest sunlight at the edges of woodlands. Ideally they prefer to be grown in similar conditions. That said, you can find a complete listing of our sun-tolerant Japanese Maple varieties here, of which Hefner’s Red ‘N Summer is one of if not the most sun tolerant of all!

Helpful Articles

Click on a link below to find helpful advice from our experts on how to plant and care for Japanese Maple trees.

How To Plant A Japanese Maple Tree In The Ground

How to Plant A Japanese Maple Tree In A Pot

How To Fertilize And Water A Japanese Maple Tree

How To Prune A Japanese Maple

Plant Long & Prosper!

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Questions? Contact Us!

I received my tree in October last year; put her in the ground and let her sleep all winter. She is waking up now, healthy, happy, and absolutely beautiful! She has vibrant red leaves emerging all over and is about 3 feet tall. I’m excited to watch her change color through this year’s seasons:)—————————————Thanks for the pics! We are so glad you are pleased and we hope you enjoy it for years to come! Thanks for the kind words and great review! 🙂 Beth Steele | WBG