Tsuri No Mai Japanese Maple

Tsuru No Mai Japanese Maple (Acer palmatum 'Tsuru no mai')

Tsuru No Mai Japanese Maple, Acer palmatum 'Tsuru no mai', is a compact, upright selection prized for its bright pink spring variegation and finely serrated leaves that bring a lively, painterly feel to the garden. New foliage emerges soft green heavily splashed with pink, then matures to green and creamy white for a fresh, luminous canopy through the growing season. In autumn, the tree shifts again, turning bright orange and red to extend the show into fall. Its moderate size and elegant habit make it easy to place near outdoor living areas, paths, and entrances where you can appreciate the changing colors up close.

Distinctive Features

Tsuru No Mai Japanese Maple is distinguished by its unusual pink to white variegation, which reads almost like hand brushed strokes across each serrated leaf. As the season progresses, the pink tones fade to clean white, creating a striking contrast against the green leaf background and any dark evergreens or structures behind it. The tree grows to around 8 feet tall and 4 to 5 feet wide in about 10 years, forming a refined, upright outline that works well in tight spaces and smaller gardens. Combined with its bright orange and red fall color and its delicate texture, this selection offers multi season interest that feels both refined and playful.

Growing Conditions

• Light: Thrives in morning sun with afternoon shade; provide protection from hot afternoon sun to preserve variegation and prevent leaf scorch.
• Soil: Prefers rich, well drained, slightly acidic soil; avoid heavy clay or waterlogged sites.
• Water: Keep evenly moist, especially during the first few years; do not allow roots to sit in standing water.
• Hardiness: Generally hardy in USDA Zones 5 to 8 with shelter from harsh winter winds.
• Size: Reaches about 8 feet tall and 4 to 5 feet wide in 10 years, with a compact, upright form.

Ideal Uses

• Garden Focal Point: Use as a single specimen near a patio, path, or entry where its pink and white foliage can serve as a true focal point in the landscape.
• Courtyards and Small Gardens: Compact size and narrow habit make it a natural fit for intimate spaces, side yards, and urban gardens.
• Mixed Borders: Pair with green and gold shrubs, hostas, and shade tolerant perennials so the variegated foliage stands out against deeper backgrounds.
• Container Planting: Performs well in a large, well drained container on terraces or by front doors where you can control soil and moisture.
• Japanese Inspired Designs: Complements stone, gravel, and water features in Japanese influenced or contemporary gardens, as well as collections of specialty maples.

Low Maintenance Care

• Watering: Water deeply and regularly during the establishment period, then maintain consistent moisture during hot, dry weather for best leaf quality.
• Pruning: Prune lightly in late winter or very early spring to remove dead or crossing branches and to refine structure; avoid heavy shearing that can spoil its natural form.
• Fertilizing: Feed in early spring with a balanced, slow release fertilizer formulated for trees and shrubs, following label directions.
• Mulching: Apply a 2 to 3 inch layer of mulch around the root zone, keeping it a few inches away from the trunk, to conserve moisture and moderate soil temperature.
• Protection: Provide shade from intense afternoon sun and shelter from drying winds to protect delicate variegated leaves from scorch.

Why Choose Tsuru No Mai Japanese Maple?

• Unique Variegation: Bright pink spring variegation that matures to crisp white over green gives this maple a look that stands out from more common selections.
• Compact Size: Moderate height and narrow habit make it easy to fit into smaller gardens, tight beds, and courtyard plantings.
• Multi Season Color: Enjoy evolving color from pink spring growth to summer green and white, followed by bright orange and red fall foliage.
• Design Flexibility: Works as a specimen, in mixed borders, or in large containers, adapting well to many garden styles.
• Collector Appeal: A distinctive, variegated selection that will appeal to Japanese maple collectors while still being approachable for home gardeners.

With its painterly pink and white foliage, graceful habit, and vivid fall color, Tsuru No Mai Japanese Maple brings a sense of movement and charm to the landscape and fits comfortably into spaces where you want color and character without overwhelming the rest of your planting.