Acer palmatum 'Jet Black' Deep Dark Red Japanese Maple

'Jet Black' is a vigorous, upright Japanese maple featuring exceptionally dark maroon-red foliage throughout the growing season, among the darkest in the species. It matures to approximately 12-14 feet tall within ten years, with potential for over one foot of annual growth. The foliage transitions to a deep blood-red in fall before leaf drop, and displays a striking fire-engine-red glow when backlit by the sun. According to the growers at Mr Maple, this cultivar was introduced by Talon Buck Holtz, a prominent maple breeder known for rigorous selection among seedlings. Full sun exposure intensifies the dark coloration and heat tolerance; the cultivar performs well in zones 5-9 and pairs effectively in the landscape with lighter-colored companions to create strong chromatic contrast.