Japanese Maple METAMORPHOSA® Live Plant – 4 inch Pot – Ever-Changing Foliage

Overview

Introduce a kaleidoscope of color into your garden with the spectacular Japanese Maple live plant, METAMORPHOSA®. This exceptional cultivar, known botanically as Acer palmatum, is celebrated for its unique and ever-changing foliage throughout the seasons. Starting with vibrant yellow leaves and delicate pink margins in spring, the color palette evolves through shades of white and reddish-orange in summer, culminating in a breathtaking display of orange-red and red-violet in autumn. This shrubby variety offers a neat texture and compact growth habit, making it an ideal choice for various garden settings, from small spaces to larger landscapes. The METAMORPHOSA® Japanese Maple is a true showstopper, ensuring continuous visual interest and a sophisticated appeal to any outdoor space.

The METAMORPHOSA Japanese Maple is a testament to horticultural innovation, developed by Mr. van Meuwen and Mr. Keijzer of the Netherlands and recognized as a finalist in the prestigious RHS Plant of the Year competition at the Chelsea Flower Show. Its distinctive color transformation makes it a highly sought-after specimen for plant enthusiasts and landscape designers alike. This particular offering is a live plant, delivered in a 4-inch pot, ready for planting and establishment in your garden.

Key Benefits

The METAMORPHOSA® Japanese Maple offers numerous advantages for any gardener looking to enhance their outdoor environment. Its unique characteristics provide both aesthetic appeal and ease of care, making it a valuable addition to your landscape.

• Year-Round Color Transformation: Experience a dynamic display of colors from spring to autumn. The foliage shifts from yellow with pink edges to white, reddish-orange, and finally to stunning orange-red and red-violet, ensuring continuous visual interest. This ever-changing palette makes the Japanese Maple live plant a focal point in any season.
• Compact Growth Habit: This shrubby variety maintains a neat and manageable size, making it suitable for smaller gardens, containers, or as an understory plant in larger landscapes. Its controlled growth reduces the need for extensive pruning.
• Exceptional Texture: The finely dissected foliage provides a delicate and refined texture, adding an elegant dimension to your garden design. This intricate leaf structure enhances the overall aesthetic appeal of the plant.
• Versatile Landscape Use: Perfect as a specimen plant, in mixed borders, rock gardens, or alongside water features. Its adaptability allows for creative placement in various garden styles.
• Award-Winning Pedigree: Recognized as a finalist in the RHS Plant of the Year competition, assuring you of a plant with proven quality and outstanding ornamental value. This recognition speaks to the plant’s superior characteristics.
• Low Maintenance: Once established, this Acer palmatum METAMORPHOSA requires relatively little care, making it an excellent choice for both experienced and novice gardeners. Regular watering and occasional feeding are usually sufficient.
• Seasonal Interest: Beyond its stunning foliage, the METAMORPHOSA® contributes to seasonal charm, providing a beautiful backdrop or focal point throughout the year, even when not in full color transformation.

Plant Care & Growing Tips

Caring for your Japanese Maple live plant, METAMORPHOSA®, is essential for its vibrant growth and stunning seasonal displays. This variety thrives in specific conditions that mimic its natural habitat. For optimal health and color, provide a location with partial shade, especially in hotter climates where direct afternoon sun can scorch its delicate leaves. In cooler regions, it can tolerate more sun, but always ensure it receives some protection during the peak heat of the day. A spot with morning sun and afternoon shade is often ideal.

Soil requirements for the METAMORPHOSA Japanese Maple are crucial. It prefers well-draining, slightly acidic soil that is rich in organic matter. Avoid heavy clay soils that retain too much moisture, as this can lead to root rot. If your soil is poor, amend it with compost or other organic materials to improve drainage and fertility. Consistent moisture is important, especially during dry spells and in its first few years of establishment. Water deeply and regularly, allowing the top inch or two of soil to dry out slightly between waterings. Mulching around the base of the plant can help retain soil moisture and regulate temperature.

The METAMORPHOSA® Japanese Maple is generally hardy in USDA Zones 5-9. Protection from harsh winter winds can be beneficial in the colder zones. Fertilize sparingly in early spring with a balanced, slow-release granular fertilizer formulated for acid-loving plants. Avoid over-fertilizing, which can lead to excessive growth and reduce the intensity of its vibrant foliage colors. Pruning should be done in late winter or early spring while the plant is dormant, primarily to remove dead, damaged, or crossing branches, and to shape the plant as desired. Avoid heavy pruning in summer, as this can stress the plant. Keep an eye out for common pests like aphids or scale, and treat them promptly with horticultural oil or insecticidal soap. Understanding Japanese Maple care will ensure your plant thrives for many years.

Size & Details

The Japanese Maple live plant, METAMORPHOSA®, is delivered to you in a 4-inch nursery pot, providing a healthy, established root system ready for planting. This allows for a smooth transition into your garden or a larger container. While its mature size can vary based on growing conditions and pruning, this shrubby variety typically reaches a height of 6-8 feet and a similar spread over many years, making it a medium-sized ornamental tree or large shrub. Its growth rate is moderate, allowing you to enjoy its evolving beauty without it quickly outgrowing its space. Expect the vibrant color changes to become more pronounced as the plant matures and establishes itself in your landscape.

This particular Acer palmatum METAMORPHOSA is known for its relatively compact nature compared to other Japanese Maple varieties, making it an excellent choice for urban gardens, patios, or as an accent plant where space is a consideration. It will arrive with healthy foliage, carefully packaged to ensure its safety during transit. With proper care, you can expect this stunning specimen to become a cherished part of your garden for decades, showcasing its unique and dynamic coloration each season.

Frequently Asked Questions

• Q: How big does this Japanese Maple live plant get? A: The METAMORPHOSA® Japanese Maple typically grows to a mature height of 6-8 feet with a similar spread, making it a medium-sized shrub or small tree. Its compact nature is ideal for various garden settings.
• Q: Is this an indoor or outdoor plant? A: This is an outdoor plant, best suited for garden landscapes. While young plants can be temporarily kept indoors in bright, indirect light, they require outdoor conditions to thrive and exhibit their full seasonal color changes.
• Q: How much sunlight does it need? A: The METAMORPHOSA® Japanese Maple prefers partial shade, especially in areas with hot afternoon sun. In cooler climates, it can tolerate more sun exposure, but protection from intense midday sun is always recommended to prevent leaf scorch.
• Q: Is this plant easy to care for? A: Yes, once established, the colorful Japanese Maple is relatively low maintenance. It requires consistent watering, especially during dry periods, and well-draining, slightly acidic soil. Occasional pruning and fertilization will keep it healthy.
• Q: What condition will it arrive in? A: Your Japanese Maple will arrive as a healthy, live plant in a 4-inch nursery pot, with an established root system. It will be carefully packaged to minimize stress during shipping.
• Q: When is the best time to plant? A: The best time to plant your Acer palmatum METAMORPHOSA is in spring or early fall when temperatures are moderate. This allows the plant to establish its root system before extreme summer heat or winter cold.
• Q: Will it survive winter in my zone? A: This variety is hardy in USDA Zones 5-9. In colder zones (5-6), providing winter protection, such as mulching around the base and shielding from harsh winds, can help ensure its survival.
• Q: What makes the METAMORPHOSA Japanese Maple unique? A: Its most unique feature is the dramatic, ever-changing foliage color throughout the seasons. From yellow with pink in spring to white and reddish-orange in summer, and finally orange-red to red-violet in autumn, it offers continuous visual interest.