Proven Winners® Metamorphosa® Japanese Maple
Acer palmatum ''ARJOS1'' USPP 32,420
- Stay Protected with Plant Sentry ™
Proven Winners® Metamorphosa® Japanese Maple - #3 Container is backordered and will ship as soon as it is back in stock.
Plant Sentry™
Plant Sentry™

Plant Sentry™ Protected
Your order is protected by our compliance system that:
- Prevents restricted plants from shipping to your state
- Ensures plants meet your state's agricultural requirements
- Protects gardens from invasive pests and diseases
Delivery and Shipping
Delivery and Shipping
Delivery and Shipping
Fast, Safe Plant Delivery
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+ | $24.99 |
✓ Zone-specific timing • ✓ Professional packaging • ✓ Health guarantee
Understanding Plant Options
Nature Hills offers plants in two main formats:
- Container Plants: Grown in pots with soil, sized by container volume and plant age
- Bare Root Plants: Dormant plants without soil, sized by height measurements
Container Plant Sizes
Container sizes indicate plant age and growing capacity rather than liquid volume equivalents. Our containers follow industry-standard nursery "trade gallon" specifications, which differ from standard liquid gallon measurements.
Young Plants (6 months to 18 months old)
Container Size | Actual Volume | Metric Equivalent |
---|---|---|
2" x 2" x 3" | 0.18 - 0.21 dry quarts | 0.20 - 0.23 dry liters |
4" Container | 0.31 - 0.87 dry quarts | 0.35 - 0.96 dry liters |
4.5" Container | 0.65 dry quarts | 0.72 dry liters |
6" Container | 1.4 dry quarts | 1.59 dry liters |
1 Quart | 1 dry quart | 1.1 dry liters |
5.5" Container | 1.89 dry quarts | 2.08 dry liters |
Established Plants (18 months to 2.5 years old)
Container Size | Actual Volume | Metric Equivalent |
---|---|---|
2 Quart | 2 dry quarts | 2.2 dry liters |
#1 Container | 2.26 - 3.73 dry quarts | 2.49 - 4.11 dry liters |
5" x 5" x 12" | 3.5 - 4.3 dry quarts | 3.85 - 4.74 dry liters |
Mature Plants (2-4 years old)
Container Size | Actual Volume | Metric Equivalent |
---|---|---|
#2 Container | 1.19 - 1.76 dry gallons | 5.24 - 7.75 dry liters |
#3 Container | 2.15 - 2.76 dry gallons | 8.14 - 12.16 dry liters |
Large Plants (3-5 years old)
Container Size | Actual Volume | Metric Equivalent |
---|---|---|
#5 Container | 2.92 - 4.62 dry gallons | 12.86 - 20.35 dry liters |
#6 Container | 5.25 - 6.01 dry gallons | 23.12 - 26.42 dry liters |
#7 Container | 5.98 - 6.53 dry gallons | 26.34 - 28.76 dry liters |
Bare Root Plants
Bare root plants are sold by height from the root system to the top of the plant. Plants may exceed minimum height requirements.
Common Sizes:
- Trees: 1 foot, 2 feet, 3 feet, 4 feet, 5 feet, 6 feet
- Shrubs & Perennials: 1 foot, 18 inches, 2 feet
Important Notes
Container Volume Specifications
- Trade Gallon Standard: Our containers follow industry-standard "trade gallon" specifications established by the American National Standards Institute (ANSI Z60.1) for nursery stock
- Volume Variations: Actual soil volume may vary due to plant root systems and growing medium settlement
- Age Indicators: Container size primarily indicates plant age and maturity rather than liquid volume equivalents
Growing Conditions
- Plant size can vary based on variety and growing conditions
- Container size helps indicate plant maturity and establishment level
- Larger containers generally mean more established root systems and faster landscape establishment
Seasonal Availability
- Bare root plants are available seasonally when dormant
- Container plants are available throughout the growing season
- Specific varieties may have limited availability in certain sizes
Questions?
For questions about specific plant sizes or availability, please contact our plant experts who can help you choose the right size for your landscape needs.
Plant Highlights
Proven Winners® Metamorphosa® Japanese Maple highlights at a glance!
Specifications
Specifications
-
Brand
-
Botanical Name
-
Growing Zones
-
Mature Height
-
Mature Spread
-
Sun ExposureFull Sun, Partial Shade
-
Moisture
-
Soil
-
Growth RateMedium
-
Fall Color
-
Pruning Time

Growing Zones
The Metamorphosa® Japanese Maple USPP#32,420 (Acer palmatum 'ARJOS1') is a vibrant, color-changing ornamental tree that brings year-round visual drama! This Proven Winners® selection puts on a dazzling display: chartreuse-yellow spring foliage soon edged in pink that changes to white with shades of red and orange highlights. Then you can expect a fiery fall finale of red, orange, violet, and yellow!
Compact and upright with deeply lobed, delicate leaves, its smaller, shrubby form is perfect for smaller gardens, borders, and even large containers. A true color-shifting star, this variegated Japanese Maple lives up to its name!
Metamorphosa® features an elegant vase shape with strong, upright branching that matures into a rounded canopy around 5-13 feet tall and 3-10 feet wide. Its serrated, palmate leaves emerge vividly in spring, changing tones with the seasons.
>>Jump to Planting & Care Instructions
Key Features
- Unique, smaller variegated Japanese Maple!
- Dynamic seasonal foliage: yellow, green, pink, red, and purple
- Compact size and vase-shaped, upright form
- Non-toxic & pollinator-friendly
- Perfect for small spaces and containers
Landscaping Uses
Native to Japan and selected for outstanding foliage performance, Japanese Maples have long been celebrated for their symbolism of peace and beauty in traditional gardens and widely beloved for bonsai and ornamental use.
Metamorphosa® is the ultimate specimen tree for accenting borders or patios. With its manageable size and ever-changing color palette, it makes a statement in tight spots! The bark is smooth and gray, and the root system is relatively shallow, making it perfect for underplanting or adding shade to patios and walkways without overwhelming nearby plants.
- Specimen or focal point tree
- Shade for patios and seating areas
- Container planting
- Meditation gardens, Asian-style or Zen gardens
- Understory tree in mixed borders
Care & Maintenance
This deciduous woody ornamental is relatively easy to care for and offers four-season beauty with minimal fuss. It’s heat-tolerant and cold-hardy, though it appreciates protection from strong afternoon sun and drying winds. Cold-hardy in USDA zones 5-8, it thrives in moist, well-drained soils and prefers dappled sun or afternoon shade in hot climates.
- Planting Time: Spring or fall planting is best
- Sun Requirements: Part sun to filtered shade; avoid intense afternoon sun
- Soil Requirements: Moist, rich, well-drained soil; tolerates average garden soil
- Moisture Needs: Keep soil consistently moist; use the Finger Test to monitor
- Arborist Mulch: Apply a 3-4 inch layer of arborist mulch to retain moisture
- Fertilization Needs: Use a slow-release fertilizer in early spring or compost to enhance soil quality
- Pruning Info: Minimal pruning needed; prune in late winter to shape or remove dead/damaged branches
- Special Perks/Growing Tips:
- Cold-hardy, heat-tolerant
- Pest-resistant
- Great for small spaces
Fall In Love With Metamorphosa®'s Ever-Changing Charm
From spring's glowing edges to fall's flaming finale, Metamorphosa® Japanese Maple is a dynamic, multi-season showstopper. This small tree offers immense beauty in a compact form. Order your Metamorphosa® Japanese Maple today and enjoy living color from naturehills.com!
"