Growth Habit & Size
Upright · Rounded
Upright tree developing a rounded crown; downward-curving branch tips alone do not make it a strongly weeping tree.
PUNGO MAPLES
Virginia Beach Japanese Maple Nursery
Red Spider
Acer palmatum
● In Stock
Cultivar Description & Characteristics
Red Spider is an elegant upright selection featuring deeply divided, slender lobes that radiate outward like spider legs. The spring leaves open in a bright cherry-red color that creates a delicate, airy canopy. As summer advances, the foliage darkens slightly to a rich burgundy tone before turning brilliant scarlet in fall. Its light, open branching habit provides wonderful texture and contrast in the garden.
10-Yr Height
8.0
10-Yr Width
6.0
Seasonal Foliage Spectrum
Spring: Cherry Red
Summer: Burgundy
Fall: Scarlet
Sun Tolerance Ratings
Morning Sun
9 / 10
Afternoon Sun
6 / 10
☀️ Morning Sun Guidance:
Bright cherry-red spring leaves create a delicate, airy canopy in early light.
☀️ Afternoon Sun Guidance:
Open branching habit tolerates regular sun exposure effectively.
Image highlights cultivar traits and is not exact photo of available stock. Image is property of Pungo Maples, unauthorized use prohibited.
Get to know your maple
What do these growth habit terms mean?
More than one term can apply. Branch direction, crown shape and size describe different characteristics, and the outline can change as a tree matures.
- Upright
- Main stems and branches emphasize upward growth. An upright tree can still develop a broad canopy.
- Spreading
- Branches extend outward to form a broad canopy. The tree does not have to be wider than it is tall.
- Weeping
- Branches or branchlets arch or hang downward. The tree can still have an upright trunk.
- Rounded
- The crown has a rounded outline. This describes the overall shape rather than the direction of each branch.
- Dwarf
- A cultivar with a smaller natural stature than typical forms of its species. Dwarf describes size, not branch direction or a fixed height limit; it does not automatically mean slow growth.
For example: Bloodgood can grow upright while developing a broad, rounded canopy with spreading branches.
Learn more: NC State plant forms · Bloodgood profile · RHS trees for smaller gardens
Roots & heritage
The story behind Red Spider
Acer palmatum 'Red Spider' is a Japanese maple cultivar valued for its exceptionally narrow, deeply divided foliage and distinctive spider-like appearance. It is generally associated with the Linearilobum Group, whose members have long, strap-shaped leaf lobes. Its foliage displays reddish-purple to burgundy tones, although seasonal coloration can vary with sunlight, temperature, and growing conditions. The cultivar's unusual leaf shape is a recognizable horticultural characteristic, but it does not establish its parentage or breeding method. A sufficiently documented account of the original selection, selector, geographical origin, or first commercial introduction has not been established. Consequently, no selection year, introduction year, breeder, or originating nursery can be assigned confidently. Its United States plant-patent and registered-trademark status also remains unverified. This uncertainty should not be interpreted as confirmation that propagation is unrestricted or that intellectual-property rights do not exist.
Explore the sources behind this story
Royal Horticultural Society - Plant search and cultivar identificationPlantentuin Esveld - Japanese maple nursery and cultivar referenceThe Maple Society - Japanese maple identification and cultivar resourcesNorth Carolina State Extension - Acer palmatum botanical profileUSPTO - Official Patent Public SearchUSPTO - Official Trademark Search
📊 Inventory and Pricing
● Live Data
Pungo Maples Onsite Inventory
| Size | Price | Status |
|---|---|---|
| — | — | AVAILABLE |
| 1 Gallon | $50.00 | AVAILABLE |
