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

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

Acer palmatum 'Iijima Sunago' Japanese maple in a #1 nursery container, showing characteristic multi-season foliage with yellow-green new growth and mauve brick-red older leaves on a staked upright plant

$90.00

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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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Iijima Sunago Japanese Maple

'Iijima Sunago' is a rare and historically significant Japanese maple dating back to 1800s Japan, prized for its extraordinary seasonal colour progression and classic upright form. From vivid pink-red spring foliage through a complex summer palette and into a brilliant yellow to orange autumn display, this is one of the most visually dynamic and rewarding Japanese maples you can grow.

Growth Form & Habit

'Iijima Sunago' develops into a well-proportioned classic upright Japanese maple, including:

  • An upright, rounded form reaching 10–12 feet tall in 10 years
  • A full, well-branched canopy that showcases its extraordinary foliage colour
  • Refined silhouette with strong year-round structure

Its graceful branching remains an elegant architectural feature through winter once the foliage has fallen.

Foliage & Seasonal Characteristics

'Iijima Sunago' delivers one of the most extraordinary colour progressions of any Japanese maple across all seasons:

  • Spring: Leaves emerge in striking pink-red tones — a vivid and eye-catching spring flush
  • Early summer: Foliage matures to a complex mauve brick-red with a subtle emerald cast
  • Late summer: Transitions to yellow-green with warm brick-red to bronze overtones
  • Autumn: Opens with bright yellow, gradually becoming richly infused with warm orange
  • Winter: Elegant branching structure with refined architectural presence

This ever-evolving palette makes 'Iijima Sunago' one of the most visually dynamic Japanese maples available — a tree that never looks the same twice.

Perfect Companion Planting

'Iijima Sunago' makes an outstanding companion to deep red and orange-toned Japanese maples. Its bright yellow to orange fall colour provides beautiful contrast alongside the rich red autumn foliage of 'Bloodgood' and 'Osakazuki', or the crimson cascading form of 'Crimson Queen' — creating a spectacular multi-colour autumn display across a single planting.

Why Choose Iijima Sunago?

  • Unmatched colour journey: Pink-red spring, mauve brick-red summer with emerald cast, yellow-green bronze late summer, and yellow to orange fall — an extraordinary seasonal progression
  • Historic cultivar: Dating to 1800s Japan — a tree that has stood the test of time for over a century
  • Outstanding companion planting: Brilliant yellow-orange fall colour contrasts beautifully with 'Bloodgood', 'Crimson Queen', and 'Osakazuki'
  • Classic upright form: Reaches 10–12 feet in 10 years — ideal as a specimen or focal point
  • Bonsai potential: Classic upright form and responsive to training
Iijima Sunago Japanese Maple growth form

Typical Iijima Sunago growth form

Plant Sizes

We offer Iijima Sunago 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 'Iijima Sunago'
Hardiness Zones
5-9
Mature Height
10-12 ft. tall (in 10 years)
Mature Width
8-12 ft. wide
Sun Needs
Full sun to partial shade (morning sun enhances spring and summer colour transitions)
Water Needs
Moderate – consistent moisture, especially during establishment
Growth Rate
Moderate (8-12 inches per year)
Defining Characteristic
Historic 1800s cultivar with extraordinary seasonal colour progression: pink-red spring, mauve brick-red summer, and bright yellow to orange fall
Extraordinary Seasonal Colour Progression

Extraordinary Seasonal Colour Progression

Few Japanese maples can match the colour journey of 'Iijima Sunago' across a single growing season. Leaves emerge in striking shades of pink-red in spring, mature to a complex mauve brick-red with an emerald cast through summer, and then transition to yellow-green with a warm brick-red to bronze overtone as the season advances. This ever-changing palette makes 'Iijima Sunago' one of the most visually dynamic Japanese maples available.
Brilliant Yellow to Orange Autumn Display

Brilliant Yellow to Orange Autumn Display

As autumn arrives, 'Iijima Sunago' opens with a burst of bright yellow that gradually deepens and becomes infused with warm orange tones. The contrast between the early clear yellow and the later orange-flushed display creates a spectacular two-phase fall colour show that complements the red and orange tones of companion plantings beautifully.
A Living Piece of Japanese Maple History

A Living Piece of Japanese Maple History

Dating back to 1800s Japan, 'Iijima Sunago' is a cultivar that has stood the test of time — treasured for generations for its extraordinary colour and classic upright form. Its longevity in Japanese horticulture is a testament to its outstanding ornamental qualities. This is a tree for gardeners who appreciate cultivars with genuine historical depth and irreplaceable character.

Sun Needs

Full sun to partial shade (morning sun enhances spring and summer colour transitions)

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. Performs well in both in-ground and container plantings with a quality, free-draining potting mix.

Temperature

Hardy in zones 5–9. Well-adapted to Canadian climates once established. Protect the delicate pink-red spring foliage from late frosts. Full sun encourages the richest colour expression through the seasonal transitions; afternoon shade is beneficial in zones 8–9.

Water and Mulching

Water deeply and consistently during the first 2–3 years while roots establish. Once settled, 'Iijima Sunago' is adaptable but benefits from regular moisture during dry summer periods to maintain foliage health and the best colour expression. Apply 2–3 inches of organic mulch around the base (kept clear of the trunk) to retain soil moisture, regulate temperature, and protect roots.

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