Name: Ko chidori Japanese Maple - Acer palmatum 'Ko chidori'
Brand: Island Ornamentals
Price: 55.0 CAD
Availability: InStock

A semi-dwarf Japanese Maple tree with bright green leaves in a garden setting.

Acer palmatum Ko chidori Japanese Maple Leavs

Ko chidori Japanese Maple - Acer palmatum 'Ko chidori'

$55.00

is an excellent dwarf cultivar with tiny green leaves that provide refined texture. Upright multi-branching habit makes it ideal for training and shaping. Reaches 4–5 feet tall and wide in...

4" Container

#1 Container

#1 Container XL

Quantity:

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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

Safe Arrival Guarantee

We guarantee your plants will arrive healthy and thriving

Proudly Grown In Canada

Plants are propagated in Canada at our very own nursery here on Vancouver Island, BC.

We Ship Anywhere In Canada

Your plants will be safely and securely delivered by UPS

Cultivar

'Ko Chidori'

is an excellent dwarf cultivar with tiny green leaves that provide refined texture. Upright multi-branching habit makes it ideal for training and shaping. Reaches 4–5 feet tall and wide in ten years with bright red to deep maroon fall color. Perfect for patio containers, small spaces, and bonsai culture.

Japanese Maples

Japanese maples are among the most versatile and admired ornamental trees, prized for their elegant form, refined foliage, and year-round visual interest. Suitable for both garden planting and bonsai cultivation, these trees adapt beautifully to a wide range of landscapes and growing styles.

Growth Forms & Habits

Japanese maples are available in a wide variety of natural forms, including:

Upright and spreading forms ideal for specimen planting
Weeping and cascading varieties perfect for containers, slopes, and bonsai
Compact and dwarf cultivars well-suited to small gardens, patios, and detailed bonsai work

Their graceful branching structure provides beauty even in winter once leaves have fallen.

Foliage & Bark Characteristics

Cultivars display a remarkable range of ornamental traits, including:

Deep red, burgundy, and purple foliage, often changing through the seasons
Fresh green or chartreuse leaves with brilliant fall color
Variegated patterns with cream, pink, or white accents
Coral bark selections with striking winter stem color
Rough or fissured bark types prized for texture and age character

Leaf shapes range from finely dissected laceleaf forms to broader, classic palmate leaves.

Ideal for Bonsai & Garden Use

Japanese maples are highly valued for bonsai due to their fine branching, ability to reduce leaf size, and responsiveness to pruning and training. At the same time, they perform exceptionally well as garden trees—whether planted in the ground, grown in containers, or used as focal points in Japanese-inspired landscapes.

Why Choose Japanese Maples?

Four-season interest: Spring foliage, summer canopy, brilliant fall color, and elegant winter structure
Versatile sizing: Most varieties mature between 10–15 feet, perfect for small gardens and urban spaces
Low maintenance: Once established, Japanese maples are hardy and require minimal care
Container-friendly: Ideal for patios, balconies, or featured garden spots
Excellent for bonsai: Fine branching, leaf reduction, and responsive to training

Typical Japanese Maple growth form

Plant Sizes

We offer 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

Hardiness Zones

5-8

Mature Height

4-5 ft. tall

Mature Width

4-5 ft. wide

Sun Needs

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

Water Needs

Moderate to high - consistent moisture essential for dwarf cultivars

Growth Rate

Very slow (2-4 inches per year)

Defining Characteristic

Dwarf upright form with tiny green leaves and refined, delicate texture

Tiny Refined Foliage

'Ko chidori' features exceptionally small green leaves that create an incredibly refined, delicate texture. The miniature leaf size is perfectly proportioned to the dwarf plant, creating an elegant appearance that's unique among upright Japanese maples and ideal for close viewing.

Ideal for Training & Bonsai

Upright multi-branching habit makes 'Ko chidori' exceptionally well-suited for training, shaping, and bonsai culture. The slow growth rate, small leaves, and responsive branching allow for artistic cultivation and precise control, making it a favorite among bonsai enthusiasts.

Brilliant Fall Color

Transforms from fresh green summer foliage to spectacular bright red to deep maroon fall color. The tiny leaves create a fine-textured display that glows in autumn light, providing exceptional seasonal interest despite the compact size.

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 dwarf maples. Amend heavy clay with organic matter and consider raised beds or containers. Avoid compacted or waterlogged soils which quickly damage small root systems.

Temperature

Hardy in zones 5-8. Protect from harsh winter winds and late spring frosts which can damage delicate new growth. The compact size makes it easy to provide winter protection if needed. Afternoon shade is beneficial in hot climates to prevent stress on the tiny foliage.

Water and Mulching

Water deeply during dry periods, especially in the first 2–3 years. Dwarf cultivars like 'Ko chidori' have smaller root systems and require consistent moisture. Apply 2–3 inches of organic mulch around the base (keep off the trunk) to retain moisture and protect delicate roots.