Name: Kiyohime Japanese Maple - Acer palmatum 'Kiyohime'
Brand: Island Ornamentals
Price: 225.0 CAD
Availability: OutOfStock

Potted bonsai tree with autumn-colored leaves on a white background

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Close-up of vibrant red and green leaves with a blurred background

Kiyohime Japanese Maple - Acer palmatum 'Kiyohime'

$225.00

'Kiyohime' (meaning "Pure Princess") is an exceptional dwarf spreading Japanese maple celebrated for its unique growth habit and tiny, delicate foliage. This cultivar features a distinctive low, spreading form that...

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INTERNATIONAL	XS	S	M	L	XL	XXL	XXXL
EUROPE	32	34	36	38	40	42	44
US	0	2	4	6	8	10	12
CHEST FIT (INCHES)	28"	30"	32"	34"	36"	38"	40"
CHEST FIT (CM)	716	76	81	86	91.5	96.5	101.1
WAIST FIR (INCHES)	21"	23"	25"	27"	29"	31"	33"
WAIST FIR (CM)	53.5	58.5	63.5	68.5	74	79	84
HIPS FIR (INCHES)	33"	34"	36"	38"	40"	42"	44"
HIPS FIR (CM)	81.5	86.5	91.5	96.5	101	106.5	111.5
SKORT LENGTHS (SM)	36.5	38	39.5	41	42.5	44	45.5

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Grown In Japan

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Your plants will be safely and securely delivered by UPS

Imported directly from Japan in full compliance with Canada’s strict Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) import requirements, including site inspection, phytosanitary plant inspection, and final inspection at Canadian customs, then carefully acclimated to Canadian growing conditions.

Cultivar

'Kiyohime'

'Kiyohime' (meaning "Pure Princess") is an exceptional dwarf spreading Japanese maple celebrated for its unique growth habit and tiny, delicate foliage. This cultivar features a distinctive low, spreading form that grows much wider than tall—reaching only 2-3 feet tall but spreading 6-7 feet wide in ten years, creating a dramatic mounding or groundcover effect that's absolutely unique. Exceptionally small leaves emerge in spring edged in beautiful purple-red, creating a stunning bi-color display. Spring color transitions to bright green through summer, then transforms to bright red to deep maroon in fall for spectacular seasonal color. The dense, multi-branched habit with tiny leaves and slow growth makes 'Kiyohime' a staple cultivar for bonsai culture—it's one of the most popular and reliable maples for bonsai enthusiasts worldwide. Exceptionally heat tolerant despite its delicate appearance. Perfect for containers, bonsai culture, cascading over walls or raised beds, as a groundcover in small gardens, in rock gardens, or anywhere you want a unique low-spreading dwarf maple with exceptional refinement. An essential choice for bonsai enthusiasts and collectors seeking a proven, reliable dwarf cultivar with distinctive spreading form and year-round beauty.

Cutting-Grown Bonsai Japanese Maples

Our cutting-grown bonsai Japanese maples are carefully cultivated for bonsai enthusiasts seeking authentic material with excellent branching structure, refined foliage, and responsive training characteristics. Each tree is grown from select cuttings to ensure true-to-type cultivar traits and superior bonsai potential. Some trees are grown at our Vancouver Island nursery, while select rare cultivars are imported directly from Japan.

Bonsai Size Chart

Size Grade	Trunk Width	Plant Height	Container
Starter	1/4"–1/2"	4"-12"	Japanese bonsai pot included

Trunk width measured at base. Sizes are approximate and vary by cultivar and growing conditions.

Why Cutting-Grown Material?

True cultivar genetics: Exact replication of parent plant characteristics including leaf shape, color, and growth habit
Responsive to training: Excellent back budding and leaf reduction when properly maintained
Beautiful nebari potential: With early work on the root system you can achieve near-perfect nebari (visible surface roots)
Clean, seamless trunk: Cutting-grown material provides a clean trunk with no unsightly graft union

Bonsai Characteristics

Japanese maples are among the most popular deciduous bonsai species, offering:

Delicate, palmate or dissected foliage in red, green, purple, or variegated tones
Excellent leaf reduction with proper defoliation techniques
Fine twig development and natural ramification
Stunning seasonal color transitions from spring emergence through autumn display
Elegant winter silhouette showcasing branch structure
Adaptability to multiple bonsai styles: informal upright, slanting, cascade, forest, and more

Care & Cultivation

Japanese maple bonsai thrive with proper attention to light, water, and seasonal protection. They prefer bright, filtered light with protection from intense afternoon sun, consistent moisture without waterlogging, and shelter from harsh winter winds. Regular pruning during the growing season encourages back-budding and maintains compact form.

Black and white Japanese maple bonsai illustration

Typical Japanese Maple bonsai development

Cultivated with care. Our cutting-grown bonsai Japanese maples are either grown at our Vancouver Island nursery or imported from select growers in Japan, ensuring they arrive healthy and ready to continue their bonsai journey in your collection.

Note: Origin (nursery-grown or Japan import) is indicated on the badge above the plant description. Foliage color, trunk character, and branching structure vary by cultivar and development stage. Individual tree specifications are listed in the product details above. Container type and exact sizing confirmed at time of shipment.

Plant Details

Botanical Name

Acer palmatum 'Kiyohime'

Hardiness Zones

5-8

Mature Height

2-3 ft. tall (in 10 years)

Mature Width

6-7 ft. wide (in 10 years)

Sun Needs

Partial shade to filtered sun (morning sun preferred, protect from hot afternoon sun)

Water Needs

Moderate - keep soil consistently moist but well-drained

Growth Rate

Slow (4-6 inches per year)

Defining Characteristic

Tiny leaves with distinctive spreading habit that grows much wider than tall

Exceptional Dwarf Spreading Habit

'Kiyohime' features a unique spreading growth habit that grows much wider than tall—reaching only 2-3 feet tall but spreading 6-7 feet wide in ten years. This distinctive low, mounding form creates a dramatic groundcover effect that's absolutely unique among Japanese maples, perfect for cascading over walls or filling wide, shallow spaces.

Tiny Leaves with Purple-Red Spring Edges

Features exceptionally small, delicate leaves edged in beautiful purple-red each spring, creating a stunning bi-color effect. The tiny foliage provides incredibly refined texture and creates a lacy, delicate appearance. Spring color transitions to bright green in summer, then transforms to bright red to deep maroon in fall for spectacular seasonal interest.

Bonsai and Container Staple

Dense, multi-branched habit with tiny leaves and slow growth makes 'Kiyohime' a staple cultivar for bonsai culture and container growing. The naturally compact form, tight branching, and small leaf size allow for detailed training and refinement—it's one of the most popular and reliable cultivars for bonsai enthusiasts worldwide.

Sun Needs

Partial shade to filtered sun (morning sun preferred, protect from hot afternoon sun)

Soil

Prefers rich, well-drained, slightly acidic soil (pH 5.5-6.5). Excellent drainage is critical for healthy growth. Amend heavy clay with organic matter to improve drainage. Avoid compacted or waterlogged soils which can lead to root stress and poor performance.

Temperature

Hardy in zones 5-8. Exceptionally heat tolerant for a dwarf cultivar. Protect from harsh winter winds and late spring frosts. Young trees benefit from afternoon shade in hot climates, though this cultivar handles heat better than most dwarf maples.

Water and Mulching

Water deeply and consistently, especially in the first 2–3 years. 'Kiyohime' requires regular moisture to maintain healthy growth and prevent stress on delicate foliage. Apply 2–3 inches of organic mulch around the base (keep off the trunk) to retain moisture, regulate soil temperature, and protect the shallow root system. Consistent moisture is essential for this slow-growing dwarf cultivar.