Purple Ghost Japanese Maple (Acer palmatum 'Purple Ghost') | Dramatic Foliage

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Purple Ghost Japanese Maple

Acer palmatum ‘Purple Ghost’

A dramatic Japanese maple with deeply divided, ruby-red spring foliage featuring striking black veining, and brilliant orange-red fall color.

$669.00

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Bay Area–Based Nursery

We specialize in plants grown and delivered in their original pots and soil.
Because of their size and weight, our plants are not suitable for long-distance shipping and are delivered locally to ensure health and quality.

While delivery is limited to our local service area, we’re happy to support garden design and plant selection remotely.

For local plant professionals, we’re always glad to connect and explore ways to support your customers.

Acer palmatum 'Purple Ghost' is a stunning, mid-sized deciduous tree celebrated for its dramatic, deeply divided foliage that emerges in a rich, ruby-red to deep purple hue with prominent black veining, creating an almost ethereal, "ghostly" effect. This vigorous, upright-growing Japanese maple holds its striking color well into summer before the leaves transition to brilliant shades of crimson, orange, and gold in autumn. Its finely dissected, lace-like leaves and elegant, spreading form make it an exceptional focal point for woodland gardens, Asian-inspired landscapes, and mixed borders, where its dramatic coloration can be fully appreciated. Exceptionally hardy and relatively low-maintenance, it thrives in partial shade, making it an outstanding choice for gardeners seeking a reliable, high-impact ornamental tree.

Knowing how we measure the size?

When browsing our plants, you may notice size terms such as Gallon, Multi, or Stand. These describe how a plant is grown, containerized, or structured at the time of sale — not just its height. Understanding these terms will help you choose the right plant for your space and expectations.

🌱 Gallon Size (Container Size)

Gallon refers to the size of the nursery container the plant is currently growing in (e.g. 1 Gallon, 5 Gallon, 15 Gallon).

A larger gallon size generally means:
- A more established root system
- A sturdier plant
- Faster visual impact after planting
Example:
- 5 Gallon: Ideal for residential gardens, easy to handle, good balance of value and maturity
- 15 Gallon: More mature, provides quicker results in the landscape

Note: Gallon size does not guarantee a specific height, as growth varies by species.

🌳 Multi (Multi-Trunk / Multi-Branch Form)

Multi indicates the plant has multiple trunks or main stems growing from the base.

Commonly used for:
- Ornamental trees
- Feature plants
- Japanese maples, olives, crepe myrtles, etc.
Why choose Multi:
- Fuller, more sculptural appearance
- Strong visual presence even at younger ages
- Popular for design-focused landscapes

🌲 Stand (Single-Trunk / Standard Form)

Stand (short for Standard) refers to a single, dominant trunk with a raised or naturally formed canopy.

Commonly used for:
- Shade trees
- Street trees
- Orchard and structural plantings
Why choose Stand:
- Clean, classic tree form
- Easier clearance for walkways and lawns
- Preferred for long-term structure and uniformity

🌿 Choosing the Right Size

If you want instant impact → larger Gallon, Multi form
If you want long-term structure → Stand form
If you want flexibility and value → mid-size Gallon containers

If you’re unsure which size or form fits your project, our team is happy to help you select the best option based on your space, timeline, and design goals.

Foliage & Flowers: Deeply divided, lace-like leaves emerging ruby-red to deep purple with prominent black veining, maturing to purple-red, then brilliant crimson, orange, and gold in autumn; small, inconspicuous reddish flowers in spring.
Mature Height: 10-15 ft (3-4.5 m) .
Mature Spread: 6-8 ft (1.8-2.4 m) .
Growth Rate: Moderate .
Hardiness Zones: USDA 5-9 .
Light Requirement: Partial shade to filtered sun (afternoon shade is essential in hot climates) .
Core Benefits: Dramatic ruby-red spring color, striking black veining, excellent fall color, vigorous upright habit, relatively low-maintenance, ideal specimen tree.
Best Uses: Focal point, woodland gardens, Asian-inspired landscapes, mixed borders, containers, courtyard gardens.

Q: How large does 'Purple Ghost' Japanese Maple get?
A: It is a mid-sized tree, typically reaching 10-15 feet in height and 6-8 feet in spread at maturity, with a vigorous, upright growth habit .

Q: What makes the foliage unique?
A: The deeply divided, lace-like leaves emerge in spring with a stunning ruby-red to deep purple color and prominent black veining, creating an almost ethereal, "ghostly" effect. The color holds well into summer before turning brilliant crimson, orange, and gold in autumn.

Q: How much sun does it need?
A: It performs best in partial shade to filtered sun. In hotter climates, protection from harsh afternoon sun is essential to prevent leaf scorch and maintain the richness of its foliage color.

Q: Is it difficult to grow?
A: No, it is relatively low-maintenance and adaptable once established. It prefers moist, well-drained, slightly acidic soil and benefits from a layer of mulch to keep its shallow roots cool.

Q: Is it a good choice for a container?
A: Yes, its moderate size and slow growth habit make it an excellent choice for large containers, where its dramatic foliage can be showcased on a patio or deck.