Acer shirasawanum 'Purple Velvet' Japanese Maple

'Purple Velvet' is a slow-growing Acer shirasawanum cultivar distinguished by deeply purple fan-shaped leaves with short lobes that emerge with a pink blush in spring, displaying subtle yellowish-green veining that provides textural contrast. The rounded, bushy canopy reaches approximately 6 feet tall and 5 feet wide in ten years. Foliage transitions to bright yellow in autumn. According to the growers at Mr Maple, this cultivar was introduced by Talon Buck Holtz and represents an uncommon opportunity to combine the full-moon leaf form characteristic of shirasawanum with red and purple tones rarely seen in the species, making it well-suited to smaller gardens where dramatic color is desired. The tree performs best in well-drained soil with morning sun and afternoon shade.