Maple trees

The Autumn Blaze maple tree - Acer x freemanii Jeffersred - is a large, showy deciduous tree suited for public spaces, avenue plantings, and medium to large properties. Stunning vibrant green, maple-shaped leaves in summer months, turn a deep red in the autumn, providing an expansive show of colour. It makes an excellent shade tree and is perfect as a statement piece in large parks. The leaves are toxic to livestock so it is not suitable for grazing paddocks.

Soil: Tolerates a broad range of soils.
Conditions: Drought tolerant, frost tolerant and prefers the full sun
Size: Height 13m x width 10m

Acer Emerald Lace, commonly known as the Emerald Lace Japanese Maple, is a graceful and elegant deciduous tree, particularly stunning when grown as a standard. This variety is treasured for its finely dissected, lace-like leaves that emerge bright green in spring and maintain their vibrant colour through summer, before turning brilliant shades of red and orange in autumn. Typically grown on a standard, it reaches a height of 1.5 to 2 metres, with a similar spread, making it a striking focal point in any garden.

Soil: Moist, well-drained soil.
Conditions: Full sun to partial shade. Frost tolerant.
Size: Height 1.5-2m x width 1.5-2m

Pixie is a stunning dwarf Japanese maple renowned for producing some of the deepest wine-red foliage of all palmatums. Throughout spring and summer, the finely cut leaves hold their intense burgundy tone exceptionally well — even in full sun — creating a rich, dramatic focal point in the garden. As autumn arrives, Pixie transforms into a brilliant fire-engine red, delivering a spectacular seasonal display that lights up courtyards, patios, and landscape borders. Adding further interest, this cultivar is known for its distinctive dark red to almost black bark, which enhances its overall depth of colour, particularly in winter when the structure of the tree is revealed. With an upright growth habit and attractive lateral branching, Pixie is ideal for smaller gardens, courtyard settings, or feature containers. Perfect for pots, entryways, or as a striking accent tree, Pixie delivers bold colour and elegance without demanding large garden space — a must-have for adding year-round visual impact to limited areas.

Soil: Deep, rich, well-drained soil.

Conditions: Prefers a sheltered site in dappled sun or morning sun with protection from hot winds. Frost tolerant.

Size: Height 1.8-2.5m x width 2m

The Illawarra Flame Tree is one of the most spectacular Australian native trees. The leaves are shed before flowering in late spring to summer, and the bright red bell-shaped flowers grow in glowing clusters at the end of branches- creating a glorious and riotous display. Once flowering is finished, large black, boat-shaped seed pods are produced. (It is recommended to wear gloves when handling the seed pods). The Flame Tree does not always flower annually and will put on its best display maybe only once every five years, especially after a hot dry summer. In between these times, they may only produce one or two branches of flowers on the whole tree.

Soil: Can tolerate most soils including heavy soils to rocky infertile soils.
Conditions: Full sun to part shade. Coastal, drought and light frost tolerant
Size: Height 10-40m x width 5-15m

Acer palmatum Sango Kaku is a well-known Japanese maple cultivar with the most unusual coral-pink young stems. This colour display teamed with the bright green spring foliage and the superb yellow to apricot autumn foliage ensures an elegant tree for the garden or park. Take care to plant the bud union above the soil level. Fertilize when planting and again after new growth appears. Prune when planting to encourage new growth.

Soil: Well-drained and well-worked soil
Conditions: Full sun to part shade, protect from hot winds. Frost hardy.
Size: Height 6m x width 5m

Acer saccharum, or Sugar Maple, is a hardy, large deciduous tree prized for its pale bark, graceful pear-shaped form, and spectacular autumn colour. It develops a low-branching habit with classic, broad maple leaves that emerge fresh green in spring and transform through glowing shades of yellow, orange, and rich red in autumn. Native to the eastern regions of North America, the Sugar Maple is best suited to parklands, avenues, or spacious gardens where it has room to reach its full potential and be admired as a feature tree. Its shallow root system means it’s best planted in an area where lawn mowing beneath the canopy isn’t required.

Soil: Prefers organic material and rich soil though will grow in most soils.
Conditions: Likes full or part-sun. Is susceptible to salt, excessive heat, and leaf scorch in drought.
Size: Height 25m x width 20m

Acer Inaba Shidare, or Red Japanese Weeping Maple, is a glorious, dense maple with pendulous branches. Leaves are a deep red to burgundy and finely dissected, giving the foliage a lacy appearance. The foliage holds its colour well into summer with the leaves turning crimson-red in autumn. With regular pruning, at least once a year, it will maintain a nice compact head that weeps almost to the ground. Apply a complete organic fertiliser twice a year. Available as a Standard.

Soil: Humus-rich, moist and well-drained.
Conditions: Best in a position where it is protected from the hot afternoon sun from summer to autumn. Suitable for cooler climates and not tolerant of coastal conditions.
Size: Height 2m x width 2m. 

Heavily curled green leaves bring remarkable texture and architectural form to Acer palmatum Shishigashira, commonly known as the Lion’s Head Maple. Its small, densely crinkled foliage emerges a rich deep green in spring and summer, creating a lush, compact canopy. As the seasons cool, the leaves transform into a striking blend of gold, rose and crimson, delivering a brilliant autumn display. Naturally upright in habit, this variety develops unusual short, stubby branches that contribute to its sculptural, almost cloud-like appearance. Slow growing and densely structured, it becomes increasingly characterful with age. Highly prized for bonsai, it is equally impressive in decorative pots, courtyards and small gardens where its strong form can be appreciated year-round. An elegant feature tree that offers structure, texture and seasonal colour in even the most compact spaces.

Soil: Moist, well-drained soil. Cultivate well before planting with compost/cow manure and mulch well after planting.
Conditions: Full sun to part shade. Protect from hot winds. Frost hardy when established..
Size: Height 2-3m x width 1.5-2m