Shade and Ornamental Trees: Acer (Japanese Maple)

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Acer palmatum 'Burgundy Lace'

Burgundy Lace Japanese Maple has deeply cut (lacey) wine red leaves on gracefully branched smaller tree with a low canopy. Spring foliage will change to a bronzy-green summer colour. * See: Acer palmatum

Acer japonicum 'Oregon Fern'

Oregon Fern Fullmoon Maple has deeply dissected foliage (like Green Cascade), giving the tree a "light" lacy appearance while exhibiting an upright spreading habit (like Aconitifolium). The emerald-green foliage turns a breathtaking brilliant ruby-red in fall.

Acer palmatum 'Enkan'

'Enkan is an upright tree with rich wine-red ribbon foliage. Similar habit as Koto No Ito. This is the darkest linear leaf maple and holds on to its colour through the summer! Fall colour firey red/orange. *See: Acer palmatum

Acer palmatum

Japanese Maple - the species has a broad rounded habit with branching that give a layered effect. Can be grown as a single stem tree or multi-stemmed shrub. Green leaves, 5 to 10cm long, deeply cut into 5 to 7 toothed lobes, turn yellow to red in fall. The artistic branching of all palmatum species makes it a winner in any landscape design. Most Japanese Maples dislike hot, dry locations; no "wet-feet". Green leaved cultivars are most tolerant of full sun. Partial or filtered shade, in the afternoon especially, is desirable for laceleaf cultivars to prevent bronzing of red cultivars and leaf burn on variegated cultivars. However, deep shade will "green" out red cultivars, and really soften the intensity of light/golden and variegated cultivars. Most palmatum cultivars are upright with a broad rounded canopy (3m shrub/4-8m tree form) and palmatum dissectum cultivars have a weeping, cascading habit, usually 2x wider than tall with the height often set by staking to desired height.

Acer palmatum 'Ao Shime No Uchi Shidare'

The Ao Shime No Uchi Shidare Maple is covered in light green threadlike foliage. It is a medium height and its foliage is soft to the touch. During the fall seasons the foliage changes to a medly of orange, yellow and gold.

Acer palmatum 'Sherwood Flame'

Sherwood Flame is a seedling of Burgundy Lace and has the deeply divided leaves of the parent. Leaves emerge a rich, red-purple and appear to be a stronger red than burgundy during the summer (depending on location). A Will Curtin from Sherwood, Oregon selection. Produces an abundance of samaras adding fall interest. * See: Acer palmatum

Acer palmatum 'Atropurpurea'

Atropurpureums new leaf growth is reddish-purple and usually fades to green in the heat of summer. However, good spring and fall colouration. Many improved varieties have been selected from 'atropurpureum' seedlings. * See: Acer palmatum

Acer palmatum 'Beni Ubi Gohon'

Small Japanese maple 2M H x 1.5M W. Japanese name means five long red fingers. Leaves are wider in the middle than base or tip. Leaves emerge bright red turning green in the heat of the summer. Fall colour is abright crimson red.

Acer palmatum 'Boskoop Glory'

Medium Japanese Maple 5M H x 3M W. Purple leaves turning greenish purple in heat of summer. Fall colour bright red and orange.

Acer palmatum 'Bloodgood'

Bloodgood is one of the most popular Red cultivars! Similar habit as Acer palmatum 'Atropurpureum' but differs in that the blood-red coloured leaves do not fade during the summer months. Has attractive blackish-red bark and brilliant scarlet fall leaf colour. Possibly the best cultivar for retaining the deep reddish-purple leaf colour throughout the season. Full sun. * See: Acer palmatum

Acer palmatum 'Butterfly'

Butterfly Variegated Japanese Maple is a spectacular shrub or small upright tree with variation not only in leaf colour, but in leaf size and shape as well. The variegation is creamy-white on a gray-green background and shows mostly on margins and lobes. In spring there may be some pink in between the cream and green (mostly on margins) and in fall the cream will turn a striking rose-red to magenta! * See: Acer palmatum

Acer palmatum dissectum 'Crimson Queen'

Crimson Queen Laceleaf Japanese Maple is featured for its deep red foliage colour that holds through the summer becoming bright scarlet in fall. Strong grower showing a cascading form with age. * See: Acer palmatum

Acer palmatum dissectum 'Filigree'

Filigree Green Variegated Laceleaf Maple leaves are yellow-green with 7 deep finely cut lobes, giving the tree an airy look. The leaves are covered in tiny dots or flecks of pale cream and gold. Fall colour is a long lasting gold. Bark is silvery-green with white striping or flecking. Habit is weeping, compact and rounded. Filigree is one of the smallest laceleaf Japanese Maples and will benefit from afternoon shade to protect its fine, variegated foliage from "burning". * See: Acer palmatum

Acer palmatum dissectum 'Garnet'

Garnet has dark red leaves, reminiscent of the gemstone, keeps colour into fall, especially when grown in some sun (dappled shade), but will turn more green in shade. Vigorous, spreading plant, but more upright than the typical mounding laceleafs. * See: Acer palmatum

Acer palmatum dissectum 'Orangeola'

Orangeola is an outstanding laceleaf maple with a very unusual leaf colour throughout the season: bright orange-red spring flush, turning red, then dark greenish-red in summer, red orange late summer flush and finishing off orange-red in fall again. A vigorous grower, but considered a small laceleaf (smaller than Inaba Shidare). Orangeola will tolerate afternoon sun with adequate moisture. * See: Acer palmatum

Acer palmatum dissectum 'Tamukeyama'

Tamukeyama is one of the oldest Laceleaf Maples, documented as early as 1710! In spring it unfolds with deep crimson-red foliage, changing to dark purple-red (burgundy) lasting well through the summer before displaying its scarlet-reds in fall! Tamukeyama holds its colour better than any other cultivar even in summer climates with high heat and humidity. * See: Acer palmatum

Acer palmatum dissectum 'Waterfall'

Waterfall is a nice green dissectum for garden or patio. Cascading branches and long, narrow "cascading" leaves create a flowing appearance on the outside of the tree, hence its name! Leaves slightly larger than Viridis. Nice greenish bark. Sun tolerant. Golden fall colour, with an orange/red "wash". * See: Acer palmatum

Acer palmatum 'Emperor 1'

Emperor 1 is a beautiful upright red Japanese Maple. Vigorous grower with upright branching, which will become broad shaped with age. Leafs out approximately 12-14 days later than Bloodgood. Foliage colour is similar or perhaps somewhat darker than Bloodgood and its form is more upright. * See: Acer palmatum

Acer palmatum 'Fireglow'

Fireglow Japanese Maple is an upright Japanese maple introduction from Italy with a deep red leaf colour glowing like stained glass when sunlight shines through. Fireglow holds on to its cherry-red foliage well throughout the summer. Fireglow is somewhat like Bloodgood, but with red foliage (instead of dark purple) and is more dense and a slower grower. Very good scarlet and crimson fall colour * See: Acer palmatum

Acer palmatum dissectum 'Germaine Gyration'

Germaine's Gyration is a Japanese Maple with a very interesting branch structure: the inner branches "twist and turn" around the main trunk in many directions (horizontally) while maintaining a "together" appearance on the outside forming a fairly symmetrical mound, much wider than tall! Green leaf with peach blush in spring, turning dark green in summer, yellow/orange/red in fall. * See: Acer palmatum

Acer palmatum dissectum 'Green Mist'

Green Mist has a crimson hue over green spring leaves turning light green before changing to a deep orange red in fall. Foliage has very fine texture engulfing the tree in a "green mist". Much like Waterfall but with a more pronounced orange-red/deep red fall colour and also known to be hardier. * See: Acer palmatum

Acer palmatum 'Grandma Ghost'

Medium Japanese maple only growing 2M H x 2M W. Very unusual. Creamy white or yellow spring colours giving way to a green vein leaf with creamy green centres.

Acer palmatum 'Heritage Red'

Heritage Red is an improved atropurpureum, with better red colour in summer. * See: Acer palmatum

Acer palmatum dissectum 'Inaba Shidare'

Inaba Shidare is one of the most vigorous laceleaf varieties. Its new leaves open purple-red in spring and hold this rich colour all season. However they can turn bronze-green in full sun and the inner leaves can green up so would benefit from afternoon shade to hold onto red colour. Foliage may scorch in hot, windy locations and leaf tips may burn if not enough moisture in hot summers. Fall colour is crimson-red. Not as finely dissected as some varieties. Habit is more upright and cascading. Great winter silhouette. * See: Acer palmatum

Acer palmatum 'Jessica'

Jessica is a Japanese Maple introduction from Cannor Nurseries, British Columbia. A vigorous maple with an upright habit and large foliage. New foliage emerges orange-red, changing to dark green and turning yellow-orange in fall.

Acer palmatum 'Ki Hachijo'

Ki hachijo has green "leathery" leaves with the lobes ending in a distinct narrow point. Unique fall colour starts with yellow-gold with rosy tones, becoming blended with light orange and reds. Green bark has bluish-grey overtone with wavy, white vertical stripe markings. * See: Acer palmatum

Acer palmatum 'Koto no ito'

Koto no ito is an upright, densely branched green cultivar with bright green bark. It can become "twiggy". New leaves have crimson tones and the lobes are often wider than those of the older leaves that approach the linear-leaf form. The fall colour covers various shades of yellow, peach and orange, even red depending on its location. A very attractive smaller maple that has a very, airy feel to it! * See: Acer palmatum

Acer palmatum 'Lozita'

Lozita is a bushy, upright Japanese Maple with rounded, dark burgundy foliage with some green veining providing great contrast with the pale purple-red (rosy-red) new foliage. Other attractive attributes are the bright red petioles and red samaras. In fall Lozita is dressing in "sizzling scarlet".

Acer palmatum subsp. Matsumurae

Native to the mountains of Japan, subspecies Matsumurae is one of three subspecies of Acer palmatum. Mostly based off of foliage size, out of the three subspecies; Matsumurae, Palmatum, and Amoenum, Matsumurae is one of the bigger foliaged subspecies.

Acer palmatum 'Mikawa Yatsubusa'

Small Japanese Maple only reaching 1m h x 1.5m w. Lush rich green leaves in layers. One of the top three selections in the world for bonsai maples. Fall colour yellow to orange.

Acer palmatum 'Nomuro Nishiki'

Nomura Nishiki emerges in spring with red leaves tinged green, maturing to more green only to change to a spectacular blend of orange and red in the fall. Leaves have 5-7 lobes, deeply separated almost to center. * See: Acer palmatum

Acer palmatum 'Oto hime'

Oto Hime Japanese Maple's spring flush of light green to almost yellow leaves edged burgundy is a real treat. The leaves darken to a solid green over summer and turn orange in fall, sometimes red and yellows mixed in as well! Oto hime is named after a character from a fable, the mermaid queen Otohime (=little Queen)

Acer palmatum 'Okagami'

Okagami is a vigorous Japanese maple cultivar with a habit much like that of Bloodgood or Emperor 1. The tree starts off with purple-red foliage in the spring which matures to a shiny blackish-red in summer with some green tones thrown in at the end of summer, changing in fall to scarlet-red. * See: Acer palmatum

Acer palmatum 'Orido Nishiki'

Known for its magnificent pink variegation in the spring, it is said that on the Orido Nishiki Maple "no two leaves look the same". Come autumn, the foliage will turn a beautiful maroon/burgundy and new shoots to will be a glowing reddish-pink.

Acer palmatum 'Osakazuki'

Osakazuki Japanese Maple is a very well-known variety renowned for its intense fall colours. Foliage is bright green through the spring and summer turning a spectacular burning-bush crimson in fall. Leaves are quite large with 7 evenly serrated lobes. Sun to partial shade. * See: Acer palmatum

Acer palmatum 'Purple Ghost'

Purple Ghost Japanese Maple is an introduction from Bucholz Nursery's "Ghost Series". An upright maple with fantastic bright purples throughout the seasons: deep purple-red in spring, changing to purple in summer and a fiery red fall fanfare! Leaves appear slightly ruffled with prominent dark (black) veins.

Acer palmatum dissectum 'Red Dragon'

Red Dragon Laceleaf Japanese Maple is an introduction from New Zealand that may prove to be one of the best of the red laceleafs. Foliage emerges a bright scarlet-red in spring maturing to a deep purple-red (burgundy) which it retains in sun or shade. Fall colour is a flaming scarlet! The branches have a very distinctive, horizontal wavy habit, which shows well through the winter. * See: Acer palmatum

Acer palmatum 'Red Pygmy'

Red Pygmy is a dwarf, red linearilobum cultivar. The extremely narrow leaves hold red-maroon colour quite well through the summer, deepening to a more purplish tone. It might bronze somewhat in direct sun in late summer. Do not prune out the larger, typical palmatum-shaped leaves that may appear on new wood when growth is vigorous as these will regain their characteristic strap-like linear leaf form the following year! * See: Acer palmatum

Acer palmatum 'Ruslyn-in-the-Pink'

Ruslyn-in-the-Pink changes colour like a chameleon! New growth has rich red and pink colour that turns green purple in the summer, contrasting nicely with subsequent red and pink new growth. Rich crimson colour in fall. Upright globe to 3.0m * See: Acer palmatum

Acer palmatum 'Redwood'

Redwood Japanese Maple was discovered in Oregon by Ed Wood and introduced by Buchholz Nursery. Its bright green foliage turns golden in fall and the new branches turn bright red in winter providing an amazing contrast for next years new growth as well as winter interset.

Acer palmatum 'Sango Kaku'

Coral Bark Maple has brilliant coral coloured bark on young wood and is this maple's main feature, especially outstanding in the winter; colour brightens in fall and intensifies in winter. Young leaves have a reddish margin adding to its spring appearance, but they change to the common light green palmatum colour in summer. The 5-7 lobed leaves are double serrated. Fall colour is golden with some apricot and light red shades. Upright form, spreading with age. Sun to partial shade. * See: Acer palmatum

Acer palmatum 'Satsuki Beni'

Satsuki Beni is a larger (7.5m+) Japanese Maple with almost round foliage with short lobes, which turns bright red and crimson in fall. *See: Acer palmatum

Acer palmatum dissectum 'Seiryu'

Seiryu is an unusual upright form of cut leaf. The finely cut green 'laceleafs' have reddish tinted tips as they unfold, soon turning bright green. Fall colour is a spectacular gold to light yellow with orange-crimson markings. Dense branch structure. Heat-tolerant Also listed as Acer palmatum 'Seiryu' * See: Acer palmatum

Acer palmatum 'Aka Shigitatsu Sawa'

Cream colored deciduous foliage with striking green veins, help the Aka Shigitatsu Sawa Maple stand apart from the rest. Growing up to 2.5m tall, this Japanese Maple is perfect as a specimen tree in someone's yard, planter, or as an accent piece. Creamy-green summer foliage turn into brilliant shades of oranges and reds to help add fall color to your garden.

Acer palmatum 'Shishigashira'

Shishigashira or Lions Mane Maple is a tree with a proud stature, a compact, stubby grower great for small gardens or containers. Bright green foliage is crinkled and closely packed on the short twigs which are in turn closely packed on the branches giving it an overall layered "lion's mane" look, especially in the fall when the leaves turn a brilliant gold colour with crimson and rose tones. * See: Acer palmatum

Acer palmatum 'Suminagashi'

Growing to only 4.5M, Suminagashi Japanese Maple is a faster growing cultivar of Japanese Maple. Burgundy foliage throughout the season turns a brilliant crimson in autumn. Tolerant of full sun, the Suminagashi Japanese Maple prefers afternoon shade, or it becomes susceptible to scorching.

Acer pseudosieboldianum 'Takesimense'

Takeshima or Korean Maple is a small tree suitable for the smaller garden, with a modest growth habit, overall good looks and excellent fall colour. The rounded 7-9 lobed small leaves are deep green on top and velvety purple on the underside and have red stems. Pseudo (false) sieboldianum (sometimes called "purplebloom maple") has purple flowers whereas Acer sieboldianum has yellow flowers and pubescence of leaves and stems. Siebold's Maple leaves are also smaller in size. Fall colour is a brilliant yellow with orange, scarlet and red tones. Good alternative for Japanese Maples in colder climate. Some consider this a subspecies of Acer pseudosieboldianum ssp Takesimense

Acer palmatum 'The Bishop'

The Bishop is a vigorous, upright Japanese Maple with a nice purple-red spring flush, which changes to bronze and green by mid-summer, before it turns crimson in fall.

Acer palmatum 'Taiyo Nishiki'

Emerging different shades of pink, the variegated foliage of the Taiyo Nishiki Maple is sure to illuminate a shady area. As the season progresses, the foliage will mature to a variegated yellow and green, then eventually turn an orange for autumn. This maple is slow growing and reaches about 2.5M.

Acer palmatum 'Trompenburg'

Trompenburg is a cultivar from Holland. The most distinct feature of this palmatum variety is the very deeply cut, dark purple-red leaves, which roll down at the edges. This feature does not develop right away. The finger-like leaves hold their colour well in full sun and will later turn to deep reddish-green and bronze and eventually crimson in the fall. Habit is upright, almost vase-shaped and will broaden as it matures. * See: Acer palmatum

Acer palmatum 'Twombly's Red Sentinel'

Twombly's Red Sentinel is a unique narrow upright form of purple leaf Acer palmatum. Discovered as a 'Witches Broom' on a Bloodgood at Twombly's Nurseries. Blood red leaves are held through summer maturing burgundy before turning stunning scarlet red in fall. After leaf drop the stems of the last new growth darken to dark red adding winter interest. * See: Acer palmatum

Acer palmatum 'Tsukushigata'

Described as a rich purple-red or black-red, the dark foliage of the Tsukushigata is anything but ordinary. When given the correct conditions, the Tsukushigata Maple will hold its dark colour throughout the whole season.

Acer palmatum 'Twilight'

Medium Japanese maple. 3M H x 2M W. Leaves emerge crimson red fading to a bronze amber with greenish hues. Fall colour is a brilliant red. Note; the Japanese name Yugure is translated as twilight or evening dusk referring to the ever changing leaf.

Acer palmatum 'Utsu-Semi'

Small semi-upright Japanese maple. 2M H x 1M W. Leaves emerge with reddish margin in spring turing bright green by late spring. Leaves have a thick texture. Fall colour crimson red with purple.

Acer palmatum 'Versicolor'

Versicolor is a well-known, full size variegated form. Deep green foliage has white streaks, blotches of sand specks, and sometimes there is a splash of pink added to the mix! Young wood has bright green bark * See: Acer palmatum

Acer palmatum 'Villa Taranto'

Villa Taranto is a small upright tree with spidery linearlobum foliage. Orange-crimson new growth turns green in summer with an overtone of light purple-red bronzing creating a 2-tone effect. Golden-yellow in fall. * See: Acer palmatum

Acer palmatum 'Wou Nishiki'

Small narrow growing upright Japanese Maple. Deeply divided leaves with serrated margins, leaves emerging pink then fading to green. Fall colour is crimson red.

Acer palmatum 'Yasemin'

Yasemin has an upward curving habit, deeply divided red leaves and heavily toothed leaf margin. Recent intro from the Netherlands; maybe a cross between A. palmatum and A. shirasawanum. Expected to become vigorous once established. Holds colour well, but will become bronzy-green in late summer before turning purple-red in fall. (aka Acer shirasawanum 'Yasemin') * See: Acer palmatum

Acer palmatum 'Yezo Nishiki'

Starting the season a bright red, the foliage of the Yezo Nishiki Maple will eventually mature to a deep red by late summer. Depending on the amount of shade the Yezo Nishiki Maple gets, the red foliage can have more of a greenish-red coloring to it. Come autumn, the foliage turns a brilliant crimson. As a younger plant the Yezo Nishiki Maple will have a faster growth rate, but will eventually have a slower rate of growth as it matures.

Acer shirasawanum 'Autumn Moon'

Autumn Moon is a J. D. Vertrees (the Maple "Guru") Full Moon Maple introduction. Greenish yellow leaves with an orange-pinky red overlay come to life in the sun of a nice spring morning. Color intensifies in summer. Short-lobed leaves are almost the shape of a golden full moon, the tips turning reddish contrasting with yellow and orange shades in fall. Partial shade to full sun (more sun=better colour). 9-11 lobed leaves are only separated 1/3 in from the tip. Tolerates heat well. Autumn Moon is said to be hardier and more vigorous than A. s.'Aureum' Note: Acer shirasawanum varieties were formerly known as Acer japonicum; eventually they were separated from the japonicums based on conflicting characteristics. Taxonomist mediators solved their differences by giving them their own identity, agreeing they were a different species!

Acer palmatum 'Saotome'

Saotome is one of the small-leafed cultivars of the Japanese Maple family. It is not quite a dwarf but it may only reach a height of 1.5m! Thin textured foliage emerges pale yellow-green with a hint of red along the edges before changing to light green as it matures.

Acer shirasawanum 'Aureum'

Golden Fullmoon Maple (aka Acer japonicum Aureum) has unique bright yellow-green spring foliage darkening to yellow-green during summer. It keeps the yellow tones longer in a partially shaded location. Fall colours are splendid oranges and reds, sometimes with purple tones thrown in the mix! Best grown in partial shade.

Acer shirasawanum 'Jordan'

Jordan Full Moon Maple selection has a stunning lemon to golden yellow with a splash of pastel-orange colour from spring through summer. An improvement on Aureum as the golden colour lasts through summer. Stunning red-orange fall colours. Upright habit

Acer shirasawanum 'Red Dawn'

Red Dawn is a faster grower and a more upright Full Moon Maple selection with larger, pointier leaves. Burgundy spring colour fades to a dark green but holds onto its red colour better than most Full Moon varieties in summer, turning scarlet in fall. Possibly a cross between a red/burgundy Japanese Maple for colour and Full Moon Maple for cold-hardiness.

Acer sieboldianum 'Sode no uchi'

Sode no Uchi is a dwarf Siebold's Maple cultivar that holds onto its bright, light green foliage through the summer when it may become tinged with red. Fantastic fall colours of yellow/golden with splashes of crimson. Ideal as container on patio.

Acer palmatum 'Tsuma gaki'

Tsuma gaki has spectacular drooping, chartreuse leaves, tipped persimmon red to light purple-red, like painted finger nails. As leaves unfold they darken and age to a deep green in summer. Best in filtered shade. Crimson-red fall colour completes the colour spectacle of Tsuma gaki. * See: Acer palmatum