Kuro Hime Princess Japanese Maple

About this plant

Acer palmatum 'Kuro Hime Princess' is a charming dwarf Japanese Maple, highly sought after for its exceptionally small stature and intricate beauty. Its tiny, deeply-lobed leaves emerge a vibrant green in spring, transitioning to brilliant shades of orange and red in the autumn, providing year-round visual interest. This cultivar exhibits a dense, upright, and somewhat spreading habit, developing a picturesque, multi-stemmed structure with age. Its slow growth rate and fine texture make it an ideal specimen for bonsai enthusiasts, rock gardens, or as a focal point in a serene patio setting. 'Kuro Hime Princess' offers a touch of refined elegance, its diminutive size making it suitable for even the most compact spaces while still delivering the stunning chromatic display characteristic of Japanese Maples.

Installation timing

When we're in season, outside of the winter months, our goal is to get your plants installed within about two weeks. That window gives us enough time to secure your plants from our supplier and find a spot on the schedule. Throughout the process we stay in touch through notifications and your existing client portal on the main A Cut Above website, which is separate from this landscaping plants shop.

Care & maintenance

Prefers well-drained, slightly acidic soil. Protect from harsh afternoon sun and strong winds. Apply a slow-release, balanced fertilizer in early spring. Prune only to remove dead or crossing branches, preferably in late summer or early fall to prevent excessive sap bleeding. Mulch to retain soil moisture and regulate temperature.

Watering suggestions

Proper watering is the single most important factor in your plant's survival after installation. Newly installed plants have a limited root system and rely on you for consistent moisture while they establish.

• First 2 weeks: Water deeply every day (or every other day in cooler, wet weather), soaking the root ball and surrounding soil.
• Weeks 3–12: Water deeply 2–3 times per week, adjusting for rain, heat, and soil drainage.
• After establishment: Water deeply about once a week during the growing season, and more often in extreme heat or drought.
• How to check: Stick a finger 2–3 inches into the soil near the roots — if it's dry, it's time to water. Deep, less-frequent watering encourages strong roots; shallow daily sprinkles do not.
• Avoid: Overwatering (soggy, waterlogged soil) is just as harmful as underwatering and can drown roots.

Watering needs vary by plant, season, soil, and exposure. Because proper watering is the customer's responsibility after installation, please make sure you understand and can follow these suggestions before ordering.

Good to know: plants and trees purchased from and installed by A Cut Above include a one-year limited warranty from the date of installation. Because plant survival depends heavily on proper watering and care after installation, losses caused by improper care, neglect, animal or chemical damage, or extreme weather are not covered, and we must be given the chance to inspect a struggling plant before it's removed or replaced. Coverage is one replacement per plant. Read our warranty info.