JAPANESE MAPLES

Japanese Maples are one of the most beautiful and versatile of all the plants that we have the pleasure of growing in our New England gardens and landscapes. The variety of colors, textures and shapes of the leaves is almost limitless, not to mention the intense spring and fall colors that are associated with most varieties. The variety of sizes, shapes and branching structures available makes it possible to plant a Japanese Maple in almost any garden or landscape situation. To date, almost 300 named cultivars have been introduced. Some dwarf varieties grow only 3' tall and wide, while others can grow to 30' or more. Some have a slender and upright habit, while others can become broad, billowing or have a weeping habit. Japanese Maples are perfectly suited to the soils and climate of New England, which closely parallels their native range in Japan. Despite their delicate and fragile appearance, these trees are actually quite adaptable, durable and long-lived. They are also surprisingly easy to maintain and have almost no insect or disease problems to deal with. All Japanese Maples share the same cultural requirements. A site with average rich, moist soil that drains well is all that they need to thrive. Most green-leaf forms will tolerate full sun, but benefit from a partially shaded location, especially where they are shaded from the hot noon-day or afternoon sun. Most red-leaf and variegated forms prefer a location with full sun, which will intensify their rich leaf colors both in summer and fall. Browse through the description list below, and feel free to speak with one of our staff if you have any questions or need advice.

A green-leaf form ( G )

Acer japonicum 'Aconitifolium'(G) A broad and openly-branched shrubby tree growing to 30 ft. or more. One of the largest Japanese maples. Leaves are large, light green and deeply incised, giving them a lacy appearance. Fall color is variable, but extraordinary. Usually bright yellow and orange, but sometimes bright reddish, tinged with purple. Spring flowers appear with newly emerging leaves, and are bright red and highly ornamental.

Acer japonicum 'Vitifolium'(G) Another broad and openly branched form growing to 30 ft or more. Leaves are medium-green, large, bold and semi-incised. Bark is smooth and grayish-brown. Fall color is bright yellow and orange, sometimes reddish. Spring flowers are purplish and showy.

Acer palmatum 'Beni kawa'(G) A vigorous and shrubby tree growing to 30 feet. Leaves are small and bright green in summer, turning to yellow in the fall. Young bark turns a spectacular coral-pink during the winter months, and reverting to yellow-green during the growing season.

Acer palmatum 'Chiba'(G) A dense, shrubby form, growing wider than tall. Grows to 7-8' tall x 10-12' wide. Leaves are small and medium green. Fall color is yellow and orange.

Acer palmatum dissectum 'Seiryu'(G) A graceful upright form of the "laceleaf type maples. Habit is upright when young, and spreading at maturity. Grows to 15-18' tall and 10-12' wide or larger. Leaves are a fresh, bright green throughout the spring and summer, and very dissected and lacy. Fall color is yellow and orange.

Acer palmatum 'Kamagata'(G) A dwarf and densely branched shrub growing to 5-6' tall and wide. Leaves are deeply-split and delicate looking. New leaves emerge with brownish-green margins, later turning completely green. Fall color is yellow.

Acer palmatum 'Koto no ito'(G) A shrubby tree to 10 feet. Leaves are incredibly thin and thread-like. Leaf color is light green in summer and turning yellow in fall.

Acer palmatum 'Linearilobum'(G) A shrubby tree to 25-30' tall. Leaves are very narrow and deeply divided with lacy, delicate appearance, and a fresh, spring-green color. Fall color is clear yellow.

Acer palmatum 'Mikawa yatsubusa'(G) An attractive and densely-branched small shrub growing to 5' tall. Leaves are densely crowded on short twigs, and are a fresh-green color. Fall color is yellow and orange.

Acer palmatum 'Okushimo'(G) A vase-shaped small tree growing to 15' tall, but only 8-10' wide. Leaves are small, dark green and shiny. Leaf lobes are curled upwards. Fall color is yellow or orange.

Acer palmatum 'Omure yama'(G) A broad-growing form which grows 20-25' tall. Leaves are seven-lobed, deeply divided and a fresh green through the growing season. Fall color is a brilliant golden orange and red.

Acer palmatum 'Scolopendrifolium'(G) A small form, growing to 10-12' tall and slightly narrower. Leaves are large and bright green, but with smooth and deeply cut, slender lobes. A very lacy and airy looking form. Fall color is yellow and orange.

Acer palmatum 'Sekka Yatsubusa'(G) A dense and vigorous medium-sized form growing to 10-12' tall and wide. Many of the branches are abnormally enlarged and flattened towards the tips, giving the tree an unusual winter outline. Leaves are small, dark green, crinkled and arranged in whorls. Fall color is yellow.

Acer palmatum 'Shishi gashira'(G) A very dense, vase shaped form growing to 10-12' tall. Branches are firm and stout, and growth rate is slow. All young stems and branches are a brilliant, glowing green when wetted by rain. Leaves are small, 5-lobed, very dark green and crinkled. Fall color is yellow and gold.

Acer palmatum 'Sango kaku'(G) A shrubby form growing to 15-20' tall and wide. The younger branches and twigs turn a fiery, coral-pink color in the winter months. Leaves are small and meddium green during the growing season, and turn bright golden-yellow in the fall.

Acer palmatum 'Tennyo no hoshi'(G) An upright growing, vase shaped shrub to 10-12' tall. Branches are dense, and twigs are delicate looking. Leaves are small and bright green during the growing season. Fall color is yellow and orange.

Acer palmatum dissectum 'Green Filigree'(G) A weeping form with extremely pendulous branches and a mushroom shape, growing much wider than tall. Leaves are finely dissected, lacy and a cool, fresh green color. Fall color is yellow and orange.

Acer palmatum 'Wou nishiki'(YG) A narrow, upright growing shrub to 8-10'. Leaves are deeply split and serrated. New foliage is a bright chartreuse with rosy margins, later turning bright, light green. Fall color is bright crimson.

Acer palmatum dissectum 'Viridis'(G) A broad-spreading, weeping form, growing 4-5' tall and 10-12' wide or larger. Leaves are fresh green throughout the spring and summer, and very dissected and lacy. Fall color is yellow and orange.

Acer palmatum dissectum ' Seka mori'(G) A low, mushroom shaped weeping form growing much wider than tall. Leaves are dark green throughout the spring and summer, and lacy looking. Fall color is yellow.

(R)= A red-leaf from

Acer palmatum 'Ara tama'(R) A dwarf, slow-growing, medium sized shrub to 6'-8' tall and wide. Leaves are dark purple in the spring, turning lighter red in late summer. Fall color is bright red.

Acer palmatum 'Atrolineare'(R) A slightly upright small form growing to 12' tall x 8-10' wide. Leaves are deeply lobed but narrow and smooth, giving a very graceful and airy look to the tree. Leaf color is dark red in the spring , turning to dark green by late summer. Fall color is bright yellow and orange.

Acer palmatum 'Beni fushigi'(R) A densely-branched, and twiggy shrub growing to 6' tall and wide. eaves are finely dissected and emerge light red, turning darker red with age. This gives the plant a "two-tone effect. Fall color is orange/red.

Acer palmatum 'Beni komachi'(R) A dwarf, densely-branched shrub form growing to 5-6' tall and wide, with thin branchlets. Leaves are curly, deeply dissected and bright red in spring. Leaves turn a bluish-red in summer. Fall color is red.

Acer palmatum 'Beni maiko'(R) A medium-sized shrub which grows wider than tall. Densely branched with thin branchlets and shoots. Leaves are brilliant scarlet in the spring, later turning dull, dark red to bluish-green. Fall color is not spectacular.

Acer palmatum 'Bloodgood'(R) A well-known and outstanding variety introduced by the Bloodgood Nursery in Long Island, N.Y. Growth habit is dense and rounded to 20' tall and wide or more. Leaves emerge bright red in spring and turn darker purplish-red in the summer. Color retention is good. Fall color is firy-red.

Acer palmatum 'Chishio'(R) A densely branched, shrubby small tree growing to 12-15'. Branchlets and shoots are thin and delicate looking. Leaves emerge scarlet-red and later fade to pinkish, afterwards to bluish-green with reddish margins.

Acer palmatum 'Chitose yama'(R) A slow-growing, shrubby tree to 10-12' tall and wide. Leaves are serrated and a dark, purplish-red. Fall color is a bright, shiny red.

Acer palmatum 'Emperor I'(R) An improved 'Bloodgood' type. New leaves emerge fluorescent-red and have a translucent appearance. Leaves turn a rich, purplish-red and hold color well through the summer. Fall color is an intense red.

Acer palmatum 'Kiyo hime'(R) A low and slow-growing shrub with an irregular habit, growing wider than tall. Leaves are small, and dark-green with reddish margins and tips. Fall color is yellow and orange.

Acer palmatum 'Pixie'(R) A small, shrubby plant growing to 5' tall and wide. Leaves are small, seven-lobed and dark purplish-red through the growing season. Fall color is bright red.

Acer palmatum 'Red Pygmy'(R) A dense, narrow and upright shrub growing to 10-12' tall and 6-7' wide. New leaves emerge dark reddish-purple and are narrow-lobed, turning copper-tinged green during summer. Fall color is reddish.

Acer palmatum 'Shaina'(R) A dense, dwarf shrub growing slowly to 5-6' tall and wide. Leaves are deeply divided, two-toned dark red and maroon. Fall color is bright red.

Acer palmatum 'Shin deshojo'(R) A densely branched shrub growing to 8-10' tall with a spreading habit. Branches are thin and delicate looking. Leaves are small, 5-lobed and brilliant scarlet when unfolding, later turning to a bluish-pink and dull green. Fall color is orange and red.

Acer palmatum 'Trompenberg'(R) A slender, upright form, growing to 25' or more. Leaves emerge bright shiny red, and turn dark, shiny purplish-red. Leaf lobes are distinctly convex, giving a unique texture to the tree. Fall color is bright red.

Acer palmatum 'Villa Taranto'(R) A vase-shaped shrub to 12' tall and 9-10' wide. Narrow lobed leaves are a dull purple in spring, turning dark green in the summer with a reddish hue. Fall color is golden-yellow.

Acer palmatum dissectum 'Crimson Queen'(R) A "Mushroom-shaped weeping form growing only 5-6' tall, but can reach 8-10' wide at maturity. Leaves are finely dissected, lacy and a dark purplish-red throughout the spring and summer. Fall color is intense red.

Acer palmatum dissectum 'Ever Red'(R) Another weeping form with an irregular mushroom form, growing to 10' wide. Leaves are dark red in spring, and turn a coppery-green in summer. Fall color is a bright, shiny red.

Acer palmatum dissectum 'Inaba Shidare'(R) A weeping form with extremely drooping branches and a low, very broad habit. Grows to 10' wide or more. Leaves color is an exceptional, very dark wine-red throughout the spring and summer. Fall color is almost absent, unless growing in a slightly dry situation.

Acer palmatum dissectum 'Red Dragon'(R) A larger growing, weeping form with a slightly pyramidal habit. Leaves are intensely purple throughout the spring and summer. Fall color is fiery-red. One the finest weeping red-leaf forms ever bred.

Acer palmatum dissectum 'Red Filigree Lace'(R) A slow-growing, weeping form with slender, fragile-looking twigs. Leaves are incredibly thread-like and lacy, almost misty-looking from a distance. Leaf color is dark purple in spring and summer. Fall color is orange and red.

Acer palmatum dissectum 'Tamuke yama'(R) A larger-growing, weeping form. Can grow to 7-8' tall and 12-15' wide or larger. Leaves emerge bright red, turning deep purplish-red, then reddish green in mid summer. Fall color is intensely red.

(Y)= A yellow-leaf form

Acer palmatum 'Wou nishiki'(YG) A narrow, upright growing shrub to 8-10'. Leaves are deeply split and serrated. New foliage is a bright chartreuse with rosy margins, later turning bright, light green. Fall color is bright crimson.

Acer japonicum 'Shirasawanum Aureum'(Y) A broad, and openly branched shrubby tree growing slowly to 12' or slightly more. Leaves are broad and lightly lobed. Leaf color is a bright, glowing chartreuse-yellow throughout the growing season. Fall color is insignificant.

Acer palmatum 'Higasa yama'(Y) A vase-shaped tree growing to 20' tall. Deeply incised leaves are somewhat crinkled and show a heavy yellow variegation on the leaf margins. A stunning plant!

Acer palmatum 'Katsura'(Y) A shrubby tree growing to 25-30' and densely branched. Leaves are an orange color when emerging, turning a golden chartreuse-yellow in summer. Fall color is bright orange.

Acer palmatum 'Matsuyoi'(Y) A shrubby small tree to 15' tall. Leaves are unusual. Some are bent or have twisted lobes, while others droop downwards. Leaves emerge yellowish with reddish margins, later turning a light, bright green. Fall color is yellow or orange.

Acer palmatum 'Sagara nishiki'(YV) An upright form which grows to only 7-9' tall. Leaves are light green with strong yellow variegation mostly along leaf margins, but sometimes almost completely covering the leaf.

Acer palmatum Tsuma gaki'(Y) A slow-growing shrub form to 8-10' tall and wide, with a spreading branching habit. Leaves emerge bright yellow with red tips and petioles. Summer foliage is chartreuse with striking reddish tips and margins. Fall color is orange and yellow.

(V)= A variegated form.

Acer palmatum 'Aka shigitatsu sawa'(V) A heavily-branched shrubby small tree to 15'. Leaves are a dark, reddish-green flamed with pink and white. Fall color is spectacular.

Acer palmatum 'Beni shichi henge'(V) A narrow, upright-growing tree to 12-15'. Small, irregular (sometimes wrinkled) leaves are pale-green with pink and white variegation. An excellent choice to use in a tight space, or to contrast with dark-green evergreens. Fall color is not significant.

Acer palmatum 'Butterfly'(V) Very similar to A.p. 'Beni shichi henge'. Growth habit is dense, narrow, twiggy and upright. Pale, variegated leaves give the tree a cool, light and airy appearance.

Acer palmatum 'Coonara Pygmy'(V) A very dense and twiggy shrub growing to 6' tall and wide. Leaves are small, 5-lobed and a rich, fresh-green. Younger leaves emerge yellow. Fall color is yellow and orange.

Acer palmatum 'Coonara Pygmy'(V) A very dense and twiggy shrub growing to 6' tall and wide. Leaves are small, 5-lobed and a rich, fresh-green. Younger leaves emerge yellow. Fall color is yellow and orange.

Acer palmatum 'Goshiki kotohime'(V) A small, twiggy-shrub with a slow and stubby growth habit. New growth emerges pink. Leaves are small and highly variegated with white and pink. Some leaves are flecked or speckled, while others are streaked or brushed. The overall effect in the spring is quite brilliant.

Acer palmatum 'Kasagi yama'(V) An open-growing shrub to 12-15' tall and wide. Leaves are seven-lobed and deeply split. Leaf color is brownish-red with pink variegation. Fall color is orange-reddish.

Acer palmatum 'Oridono nishiki'(V) An upright-growing, shrubby tree to 15-18' tall. New growth emerges white and pink. Older leaves turn medium-green and are streaked and splotched with white and pink. Fall color is insignificant.

Acer palmatum 'Roseo Marginatum'(V) A very narrow and upright growing small tree to 10-12' tall. Leaves are small and irregularly shaped. New leaves are strikingly suffused with pink and white. Summer foliage is dark green with an irregular white margin on the leaves. Fall color is not significant.

Acer palmatum 'Sagara nishiki'(YV) An upright form which grows to only 7-9' tall. Leaves are light green with strong yellow variegation mostly along leaf margins, but sometimes almost completely covering the leaf.

Acer palmatum 'Ukigumo'(V) A slow-growing and erect small tree to 10-12'. Leaves are small, 5 lobed translates to "Floating Clouds. A striking variety!

Acer palmatum 'Wilson's Pink'(V) A dense shrub to 6' tall and wide, and heavily branched. Leaves are small and narrow-lobed, 5 lobes per leaf. Spring growth comes out bright pink, later turning green with whitish variegation. Fall color is yellow and orange.

Acer palmatum (Acer crataegifolium) 'Veitchii'(V) A tall, shrubby and profusely branched variety rowing to 12-15'. Leaves are distinctly "Hawthorne-like and are bluish-green with complex white variegation. In the fall, the white portions become rosy-pink or scarlet.