Growth Habit & Size
Upright · Spreading
Upright tree developing a broad, spreading mature crown.
PUNGO MAPLES
Virginia Beach Japanese Maple Nursery
Black Hole
Acer palmatum
● In Stock
Cultivar Description & Characteristics
Black Hole is a rare and mysterious dark-leaved cultivar characterized by intensely deep purple foliage that borders on near-black. The coloration remains remarkably stable and dark throughout the entire summer season, resisting the usual summer fading. In autumn, the dark canopy flashes with brilliant undertones of glowing magenta and bright red. It creates a stunning, dramatic contrast when paired with chartreuse or golden companion plants in the garden.
10-Yr Height
10.0
10-Yr Width
6.0
Seasonal Foliage Spectrum
Spring: Near-Black
Summer: Deep Purple
Fall: Magenta Red
Sun Tolerance Ratings
Morning Sun
9 / 10
Afternoon Sun
6 / 10
☀️ Morning Sun Guidance:
Morning light captures the intensely deep, near-black purple foliage.
☀️ Afternoon Sun Guidance:
Color remains stable through summer, but afternoon relief prevents heat stress.
Image highlights cultivar traits and is not exact photo of available stock. Image is property of Pungo Maples, unauthorized use prohibited.
Get to know your maple
What do these growth habit terms mean?
More than one term can apply. Branch direction, crown shape and size describe different characteristics, and the outline can change as a tree matures.
- Upright
- Main stems and branches emphasize upward growth. An upright tree can still develop a broad canopy.
- Spreading
- Branches extend outward to form a broad canopy. The tree does not have to be wider than it is tall.
- Weeping
- Branches or branchlets arch or hang downward. The tree can still have an upright trunk.
- Rounded
- The crown has a rounded outline. This describes the overall shape rather than the direction of each branch.
- Dwarf
- A cultivar with a smaller natural stature than typical forms of its species. Dwarf describes size, not branch direction or a fixed height limit; it does not automatically mean slow growth.
For example: Bloodgood can grow upright while developing a broad, rounded canopy with spreading branches.
Learn more: NC State plant forms · Bloodgood profile · RHS trees for smaller gardens
Roots & heritage
The story behind Black Hole
- Discovered / selected by
- Talon Buchholz
Acer palmatum 'Black Hole' is a relatively recent Japanese maple selection attributed to Talon Buchholz, associated with Buchholz Nursery in Oregon. According to MrMaple, it originated as a chance seedling of Acer palmatum 'Purple Ghost' and was introduced by Talon Buchholz. The reported seed parent is 'Purple Ghost', but the pollen parent is unknown, and there is no documentation of a controlled hybridization. The original selection date and first commercial introduction year have not been reliably established. 'Black Hole' is distinguished by exceptionally dark purple-black foliage, with subtle ghost-like reticulation visible during early spring before the leaves deepen in color. Autumn foliage develops striking fuchsia-red tones. Nursery descriptions estimate a mature size of approximately 10 to 12 feet after ten years. No cultivar-specific United States plant patent or registered trademark was verified; this does not establish unrestricted propagation rights or royalty status.
Explore the sources behind this story
MrMaple - Acer palmatum Black Hole, Talon Buchholz selection and Purple Ghost seedling originDawes Arboretum - Buchholz Nursery and Flora Wonder Collection backgroundOregon State University - Acer palmatum botanical backgroundUSPTO - Official Patent Public Search; no Black Hole-specific record verifiedUSPTO - Official Trademark Search; no Black Hole-specific registration verified
📊 Inventory and Pricing
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Pungo Maples Onsite Inventory
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