‘Twinkles’ Dwarf Coral Bark Japanese Maple

Acer palmatum ‘Twinkles’

Plant Details

USDA Plant Hardiness Zones: 7a-9b Find Your Zone

Plant Type: Deciduous Tree

Height at Maturity: 6-7′

Width at Maturity: 3-4′

Growth Habit / Form: Bushy, Upright, Vase Shape

Growth Rate: Slow to Moderate

Foliage Color in Spring: Lime Green

Foliage Color in Summer: Medium Green

Foliage Color in Fall: Yellow

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

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 – more info, Heat Tolerant, Insect Resistant, Sun Tolerant, Disease

Description

We are very excited to introduce ‘Twinkles’, a new dwarf Coral Bark Japanese Maple, discovered in Georgia as a chance seedling. While having many of the same characteristics as its larger growing cousins, such as the brilliant coral-red bark in winter, the diminutive Twinkles measures in at only 6 feet tall and 3 to 4 feet wide at maturity, making her a perfect fit for smaller garden spaces and containers. But there are other unique and exciting attributes. First, the dainty new leaves emerge pink changing to light lime-green providing an overall soft look to the tree. Second, Twinkles could also be nicknamed “The Fireworks Maple.” Reason being, as July approaches a second flush of tiny, brightly colored leaves in shades of pink, red and golden-yellow on slender shoots appear, giving the effect of twinkling fireworks, hence the name. With the arrival of cooler temperatures in fall the leaves transition to yellow, orange and red shades. Late fall and winter sun then sets off the brilliant red color on the leafless branches, which adds incredible interest in the landscape. Sun tolerance is good however we’d suggest some filtered sun or shade during the midafternoon hours.

Landscape & Garden Uses

To showcase its magnificence and beauty, the Twinkles 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 said, you can plant it in groupings of three or plant two to frame an entryway. Excellent for containers!

Spacing: At least 8 feet apart 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 in both the ground or in containers, a practice taken to its most extreme form in the art of bonsai.

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. While Twinkles will tolerate full sun in Zone 7, we suggest some filtered sun or shade during the midafternoon hours in zones 8 and 9. You can find a complete listing of our sun-tolerant Japanese Maple varieties here.

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.

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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