Ryusen Weeping Japanese Maple

Acer palmatum 'Ryusen'

Plants that Work®

Tree

Heat Tough in Full Sun: Handles full sun better than most weeping maples, zones 5-8.
Half the Width: Stays 5-6 feet wide when staked, fits where broad varieties won't.
Palmate Leaves, Not Lace: Only major weeping maple with classic star-shaped foliage, not dissected.
Container Proven: Compact root system thrives in pots, ideal for patios and decks.
Flexible Height Options: Grows 5-10 feet naturally or stake to 20 feet for cascading form.

$199⁸⁰

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Plant Size

#3 Container 2-3 Feet

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Planting & Care

Where to Plant

Sunlight: Ryusen handles full sun to partial shade, needing at least 4-6 hours of direct light daily. Unlike most weeping Japanese maples, Ryusen tolerates full sun even in zone 8 without the afternoon scorching that plagues red-leaved varieties. In cooler zones (5-6), full sun brings out the best fall color.
Soil: Plant in well-drained, slightly acidic soil with a pH of 5.5-6.5. If you're dealing with heavy clay, amend generously with compost to improve drainage since Japanese maples hate wet feet. For alkaline soils, work in sulfur or peat moss at planting time. Set the root flare at or slightly above soil level, never buried.

Watering Requirements

Water deeply twice per week during the first growing season to establish the root system. Once established, Ryusen needs about an inch of water weekly during active growth. Container-grown trees need more frequent watering since pots dry faster than ground soil. Inconsistent watering during hot spells can cause leaf scorch at the edges, so maintain steady moisture rather than alternating between bone-dry and soaked.

Pruning Tips

Prune in late winter while dormant to shape the canopy and remove any crossing branches. If you're staking for height, train the central leader upward in early spring when branches are flexible, securing loosely with soft ties. Remove the stake once the trunk can support itself (usually 2-3 years). Light pruning to maintain form can happen anytime, but avoid heavy cuts during active growth.

Fertilizer Needs

Feed in early spring with a balanced, slow-release fertilizer formulated for acid-loving plants. Japanese maples are light feeders, so less is more. Over-fertilizing pushes leggy growth and reduces the graceful weeping form. Skip fertilizer entirely the first year after planting.

Delivery and Shipping

Preorder Shipping Schedule

We ship your plants when it's safe to transport them to your zone. Dates are estimated and subject to weather delays.

Zone 3-4	Week of March 30th
Zone 5	Week of March 16th
Zone 6	Week of March 2nd
Zone 7	Week of February 23rd
Zone 8-12	Week of February 15th

Shipping Rates

Ships in 3-4 business days • Tracking provided • Weather protected

Under $50	$9.99
$50 - $99.99	$14.99
$100 - $149.99	$16.99
$150 - $198.99	$24.99
$199+	FREE

✓ Zone-specific timing • ✓ Professional packaging • ✓ Health guarantee

Picture branches cascading like a waterfall of green, flowing over garden walls and spilling gracefully across your landscape. That's what you get with a Ryusen weeping Japanese maple for sale at Nature Hills. Unlike other weeping maples with delicate lacy foliage, Ryusen keeps its classic star-shaped leaves while delivering that dramatic weeping form you're after.

Why Ryusen Outperforms Other Weeping Maples

Most weeping Japanese maples struggle in full sun, but Ryusen (Acer palmatum 'Ryusen') breaks that mold. This is one of the most heat-tolerant weeping varieties you'll find, thriving in zones 5-8 with full sun to partial shade. When other maples need afternoon protection, Ryusen keeps performing. The secret is in those palmate leaves, which handle heat better than the dissected foliage found on Crimson Queen or Tamukeyama.

If you're working with a narrow space, here's where Ryusen really shines. Left unstaked, it naturally forms a 5-10 foot mound. But stake the central leader and watch it transform into a 15-20 foot specimen that cascades from above while staying just 5-6 feet wide. That's half the width of most weeping maples, which means you can tuck it into tight spots where broader varieties won't fit.

Container Growing Made Simple

Ryusen's compact root system makes it exceptional for patio containers and deck gardens. Start with a 20-gallon pot for a mature tree, or begin smaller and graduate up as it grows. The narrow profile means you're not sacrificing poolside space or pathway clearance for that statement tree you want. Water features, entryways, courtyards, Ryusen works where space matters.

Four Seasons of Interest

Spring growth emerges bright green with hints of bronze, settling into deep green by summer. Fall brings warm golden-orange tones before the leaves drop to reveal graceful branching through winter. The show changes, but it never stops.

Perfect for Banks, Walls, and Focal Points

The name translates to "flowing water," and that's exactly how Ryusen behaves when planted to cascade over retaining walls or slope edges. Plant it at the top of a bank and let the branches spill downward. Position it near patios for overhead interest without the massive canopy. Use it as a garden centerpiece where its unique form (one of the few non-lace weeping maples available) stands out.

Ready to add this heat-tough, space-smart weeping maple to your landscape? Order your Ryusen and we'll ship it at the right time for your zone.

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Growing Zones 5-8

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Frequently Asked Questions

How big do Ryusen weeping Japanese maples get?

Ryusen grows 5-10 feet tall and 5-8 feet wide when left unstaked. When you stake the central leader, it can reach 15-20 feet tall while maintaining that narrow 5-6 foot width, making it ideal for tight spaces.

Where is the best place to plant a weeping Japanese maple?

Plant Ryusen in full sun to partial shade where it has room to cascade. It excels near patios, along banks, over retaining walls, or as a focal point in beds. Ryusen tolerates more sun than most weeping varieties.

What zones does Ryusen Japanese maple grow in?

Ryusen is hardy in zones 5-8. It handles both cold winters and hot summers better than most weeping Japanese maples, making it reliable across a wide climate range.

Can Ryusen Japanese maple grow in full sun?

Yes, Ryusen thrives in full sun and is one of the most heat-tolerant weeping Japanese maples available. While it also grows well in partial shade, it doesn't require afternoon protection like many other weeping varieties.

When is the best time to plant Japanese maple?

Fall (September through November) is ideal for planting Japanese maples because cooler temperatures reduce transplant shock. Spring planting (March through May) also works well with consistent watering during establishment.

Does Ryusen Japanese maple need to be staked?

Staking is optional and depends on your desired look. Without staking, Ryusen forms a low mounding habit. Stake the central leader if you want height with branches cascading from above.

What makes Ryusen different from other weeping maples?

Ryusen is the only major weeping Japanese maple with palmate (star-shaped) leaves instead of dissected lacy foliage. It also stays narrower and handles heat and sun better than red weeping varieties like Crimson Queen.

Ryusen Weeping Japanese Maple