JUST ARRIVED! 1-Gallon XL Japanese Maples — Bigger Trees, Great Value!

JUST ARRIVED! 1-Gallon XL Japanese Maples — Bigger Trees, Great Value!

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Origin
Proudly Grown In Canada
Nursery grown on Vancouver Island, BC
We Ship Anywhere In Canada
We Ship Anywhere In Canada
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Gaki No Sugi Japanese Maple

'Gaki No Sugi' is a remarkably rare Japanese maple prized for its stunning reticulated ghost-like foliage, vivid green veining, and extraordinary peach to pink mid-summer new growth. One of the most visually unique variegated maples available, it offers layered seasonal interest and genuine collector appeal.

Growth Form & Habit

'Gaki No Sugi' develops into a well-proportioned, rounded form, including:

  • An estimated 6 feet in height and width in 10 years — a refined, manageable size
  • Among the largest leaves of any reticulated ghost-type Japanese maple on mature plants
  • Graceful branching that provides attractive year-round structure

Its elegant branch structure remains a quiet feature through winter once the foliage has fallen.

Foliage & Seasonal Characteristics

'Gaki No Sugi' delivers extraordinary ornamental interest across all seasons, including:

  • Bright reticulated ghost-like foliage with prominent green veining throughout each leaf
  • Large leaf size on mature plants — among the biggest of any reticulated type
  • Peach to pink mid-summer new growth with characteristic reticulation — a rare second wave of colour
  • Brilliant orange to red autumn colour display
  • Refined branch structure with graceful winter presence

The ghost-like reticulated foliage creates an ethereal, luminous effect in the garden — particularly striking in dappled light.

Ideal for Bonsai & Garden Use

'Gaki No Sugi' is best showcased as a specimen tree in a sheltered, dappled-light position where its extraordinary foliage can be seen up close. It is equally valued by bonsai collectors for its unique leaf character. A natural centrepiece in Japanese-inspired gardens, shaded woodland settings, and curated collector landscapes.

Why Choose Gaki No Sugi?

  • Extraordinary foliage: Ghost-like reticulated leaves with vivid green veining — unlike anything else in the garden
  • Rare mid-season colour: Peach to pink new growth in mid-summer adds a second spectacular flush of interest
  • Exceptional rarity: One of the most sought-after reticulated ghost-type Japanese maples available
  • Manageable size: Estimated 6 feet in height and width in 10 years — suitable for garden beds, borders, and containers
  • Bonsai potential: Unique leaf character and responsive to training
Gaki No Sugi Japanese Maple growth form

Typical Gaki No Sugi growth form

Plant Sizes

We offer Gaki No Sugi Japanese maples in several size categories. Measurements are approximate and provided as a general guideline.

Size Category Height Trunk Diameter Description
4" Liners 6–12 inches ¼–½ inch Young plants ideal for training, bonsai, or growing on
Standard 1-Gallon 6–24 inches ¾–1½ inches Well-established plants suitable for landscape or container growing
1-Gallon Extra Large (XL) 12–48 inches ¾–2 inches Grown for a longer period, resulting in better branching, thicker trunks, and a more mature appearance

Please note: Plant size and form will vary depending on the cultivar purchased. Dwarf varieties will naturally be smaller and more compact than standard varieties, even within the same pot size.

Grown in Canada, for Canada. All our Japanese maples are cultivated and shipped from our Canadian nursery with care, ensuring they arrive healthy and ready to thrive in your climate.

Plant Details

Botanical Name
Acer palmatum 'Gaki No Sugi'
Hardiness Zones
5-9
Mature Height
6 ft. tall (estimated, in 10 years)
Mature Width
6 ft. wide (estimated, in 10 years)
Sun Needs
Morning sun and afternoon shade (essential for best foliage colour and health)
Water Needs
Moderate – consistent moisture; avoid drought stress to protect delicate variegated foliage
Growth Rate
Slow (variegated selections typically 3–6 inches per year)
Defining Characteristic
Rare reticulated ghost-type with large leaves, prominent green veining, and peach-pink mid-summer new growth
Striking Reticulated Ghost-Type Foliage

Striking Reticulated Ghost-Type Foliage

'Gaki No Sugi' produces bright, ghost-like reticulated foliage with vivid green veining running throughout each leaf — a rare and captivating characteristic shared by only a handful of Japanese maple selections. On mature plants, the leaves are among the largest of any reticulated type, amplifying the visual impact of the intricate veining pattern and making each leaf a work of art in its own right.
Peach to Pink Mid-Summer New Growth

Peach to Pink Mid-Summer New Growth

One of 'Gaki No Sugi’s most extraordinary traits is its mid-summer new growth, which emerges in warm shades of peach to pink with the characteristic reticulation still visible. This late-season colour flush adds a second wave of ornamental interest long after spring, keeping the tree visually dynamic throughout the entire growing season.
Brilliant Orange to Red Autumn Colour

Brilliant Orange to Red Autumn Colour

As the growing season draws to a close, 'Gaki No Sugi' delivers a vivid autumn finale with foliage transitioning through bright shades of orange to red. The large leaf size characteristic of this cultivar intensifies the fall colour display, creating a bold and memorable seasonal show.

Sun Needs

Morning sun and afternoon shade (essential for best foliage colour and health)

Soil

Prefers rich, well-drained, slightly acidic soil (pH 5.5–6.5). Amend heavy clay soils with organic matter to improve drainage. Avoid compacted or waterlogged conditions. Container growing is well-suited with a quality, free-draining potting mix — containers also allow easy repositioning to optimize light exposure.

Temperature

Hardy in zones 5–9. Protect emerging spring foliage and mid-summer new growth from late frosts and intense afternoon heat. As a variegated selection, 'Gaki No Sugi' is best sited with morning sun and afternoon shade to protect the delicate ghost-like foliage from scorch and maintain the best reticulation colour.

Water and Mulching

Water deeply and consistently, especially during the first 2–3 years while roots establish. Variegated selections like 'Gaki No Sugi' are more sensitive to drought stress, which can cause leaf scorch on the delicate reticulated foliage. Apply 2–3 inches of organic mulch around the base (kept clear of the trunk) to retain moisture, regulate soil temperature, and protect roots.
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