Getting To Know Alpenglow Korean Maple Tree - May 2026

Over the past few years, I have posted a few 'getting to know' posts about Korean Maples starting with Summer 2024 when I posted the first:  Northern Glow Korean Maple. Last year, I posted one about the Arctic Jade Korean Maple and then last Fall, I wrote this 'getting to know' post about North Wind Korean Maple.  

Today, I came across a fourth Korean Maple:  Alpenglow Korean Maple from the Jack Frost Collection at Iseli Nursery.  This is Acer x pseudosieboldianum.

I saw this at The Growing Place in Naperville where they have this point-of-sale sign where they label it 'new 2026'.  

Here's how Iseli describes Alpenglow:

Alpenglow® is a red-leafed, upright hybrid maple that is hardy down to –30F. In spring, merlot leaves dance on arching branches; translucent veins help them catch the light and glow. The deep red mellows to a burnished bronze in summer and finally turns to blazing orange and red in fall. A refined oval habit and sturdy branching make Alpenglow® a majestic centerpiece that you can rely on for a colorful show year after year.

Sounds lovely, right?

I have a couple of Emperor 1 Japanese Maples in the back that bring that red foliage to some spots in the garden.  This being a little bit more upright is right up my alley, too.  

I've had mixed luck with Korean Maples with the Northern Glow doing great but the Arctic Jade struggled.  

Here is the Jack Frost Collection plant tag from Iseli Nursery that is on this tree:

And here. below, shows the tree standing tall in a three-gallon (or so) nursery pot.  This one appears to be container grown with a big, container-shaped root ball vs. a ball & burlap bottom:

What comes next is....you guessed it:  a planting post.  Because, this tree came home with me from my last trip to The Growing Place.