This Japanese maple is grown for its frilly purple-red leaves, which are very serrated and give the tree a soft appearance overall. They turn brighter red in the fall. The tree can grow 5 to 7 feet tall and wider but is slow-growing. It has a spreading, cascading form.

This tree works well as an accent tree in sheltered areas and as an understory tree. It grows best in part sun. Leaves will lose their color in full shade. It prefers moist, well-drained soils and shelter from too much wind.