Shipping postponed due to excessive heat.

Order Now For Best Fall Selection

Free Shipping on Shipments $175.00 & Above

BENI SHI EN JAPANESE MAPLE

BENI SHI EN JAPANESE MAPLE

View Image Disclaimer

Know Your Zone

Enter your zip code to look up your hardiness zone region.

#7019

BENI SHI EN JAPANESE MAPLE

Acer COPY palmatum 'Beni Shi En'
PP9697 Plant Propagation Prohibited
AKA: PURPLE SMOKE JAPANESE MAPLE

Currently Unavailable

×

These Units Are Currently Ready to Ship

These items can be added to your Shopping Cart.

×

These Units Are Currently Out of Stock

Check back regularly for updated inventory.

×

These Units Are Currently Growing On Our Farm

We are waiting for them to become ready to ship. These items can be added to your Shopping Cart.

Orders containing Online Pre-Order items will be scheduled to ship based on projected ready dates.

×

These Units Are Currently In Production

These items are currently in production and do not have a projected ready date at this time. These items cannot be added to your Shopping Cart.

Please call to pre-order (918) 453-0771.

RediRoot 5 gallon (SKU: 20943)
0 - Available Now - Details   -  

List Price $195.00 Per Plant

Hardiness Zone: 5-9   ·   Mature Height: 10-12 Feet   ·   Mature Spread: 8-10 Feet

Beni Shi En Japanese Maple is a rare garden treasure with foliage that changes costumes as the seasons pass. In spring, long, deeply divided leaves emerge in enchanting shades of raspberry-red and purple, edged with irregular touches of lime green to cream. As summer unfolds, the foliage gradually shifts toward green and bronze while retaining its distinctive variegated markings. New reddish growth can appear among the older leaves, creating the wonderful impression of wisps of colored smoke drifting through the canopy which is where the common name Red Smoke or Purple Smoke Japanese Maple arises from. When autumn arrives, pumpkin orange and scarlet red take over the leaves giving this unusual Japanese maple a final transformation before winter.

Discovered by renowned Japanese maple plantsman Harold Johnston in Alabama, Beni Shi En Japanese Maple was selected from a naturally occurring variegated sport and has become prized for its unusual coloration and adaptability to warmer conditions. The deeply divided, strap-like leaves twist and turn in different directions, giving the tree a wonderfully airy texture. Individual leaves can vary considerably in their markings, making every branch worth a close inspection. With its upright, vase-shaped form, this Purple Smoke Japanese Maple makes an exceptional focal point where its intricate foliage can be admired throughout the growing season.

Despite its delicate appearance, Beni Shi En Japanese Maple is remarkably well suited to gardens that experience heat and humidity. It performs well in sun to filtered shade, and its rich color can remain remarkably strong in sunny locations compared with many other Japanese maple selections. Give it moist, well-drained soil enriched combined with organic matter and a little breathing room, and it can become a captivating centerpiece. Its unusual foliage pairs beautifully with dark evergreens, soft green groundcovers, and broad-leaved companions that allow the finely divided leaves and variegation to stand out. Beni Shi En Japanese Maple grows about 12 feet tall and 8 feet wide in the first 10 years, but can grow as big as 20 feet tall and wide with more time.

BENI SHI EN JAPANESE MAPLE Plant Characteristics

Bark Color*
Green
Bark Type*
Smooth
Fruit Type*
Non-Edible Fruit
Growth Habit*
Upright Growing
Growth Rate*
Medium
Leaf Type*
Deciduous/Herbaceous
Nature Assets*
Attracts Birds
Deer Resistant
Plant Type*
Japanese Maple
Preferred Planting Season*
Fall Planting
Spring Planting
Summer Planting
Propagation Methods*
Budding
Graft
Season of Interest*
Fall
Late Spring/Early Summer
Late Summer/Early Autumn
Spring
Summer

0 review(s) for BENI SHI EN JAPANESE MAPLE

Add a review for Acer COPY BENI SHI EN JAPANESE MAPLE*

   You must be logged into your customer account to post a review for Acer COPY palmatum 'Beni Shi En'.

BENI SHI EN JAPANESE MAPLE Homeowner Growing & Maintenance Tips

  • Recommended Soil:
    • Grow in rich, organically amended soil that remains moist but drains freely.
    • Slightly acidic to neutral soil is generally well suited to Japanese maple growing conditions.
    • Heavy clay should be improved for drainage before planting.
    • Avoid locations where water consistently collects around the root zone.

  • Sun Exposure:
    • Beni Shi En Japanese Maple can perform well in full sun, filtered light, or partial shade.
    • In hotter climates, morning sun with afternoon shade can help protect delicate foliage.
    • Good air circulation and consistent moisture are especially helpful in sunny locations.
    • More sun can encourage stronger red and bronze coloration, while filtered light can soften the overall display.

  • Irrigation Needs:
    • Provide regular, deep watering while the tree establishes its root system.
    • Maintain reasonably consistent soil moisture during periods of summer heat or drought.
    • Established trees can develop moderate drought tolerance but benefit from supplemental water during extended dry spells.
    • Water thoroughly when needed while avoiding persistently saturated soil that can suffocate root development.

  • Feeding & Nutrients:
    • Healthy, organically enriched soil can provide much of the nutrition this Japanese maple needs.
    • A balanced, slow-release fertilizer may be useful when soil fertility is low to improve vigor and color.
    • Avoid excessive nitrogen, which can promote overly vigorous growth and reduce its naturally refined form.
    • Soil testing can help determine whether fertilizer or pH adjustments are actually necessary.

  • Pruning & Maintenance:
    • Allow the naturally upright, vase-shaped structure to develop with minimal intervention.
    • Remove damaged, crossing, or poorly positioned branches as needed.
    • Prune selectively rather than heavily to preserve the graceful branching structure.
    • Apply a layer of organic mulch around the root zone to help moderate soil moisture and temperature.

Interesting Notes About BENI SHI EN JAPANESE MAPLE

  • A Southern-Born Maple: Beni Shi En was discovered by Harold Johnston in Alabama, making this unusual Japanese maple a selection with genuine Southern garden roots.
  • Its Name Has a Smoky Secret: Beni Shi En is associated with the Japanese phrase meaning "red smoke" or "purple smoke" an especially fitting name for foliage that appears to drift from red into smoky purple.
  • Every Leaf Has a Tale: The variegation can differ noticeably from one leaf to another, with individual leaves displaying their own combinations of cream, lime, green, bronze, and red markings.
  • A Sport with a Story: This cultivar originated as a naturally occurring variegated sport from a red-leaved Japanese maple, giving its unusual coloration a fascinating horticultural origin.
  • A Maple for Warm Summers: Beni Shi En is especially notable among variegated Japanese maples for its ability to retain attractive coloration in sunny, warm-climate conditions when properly watered.