Stunningly beautiful, uniquely graceful, elegant and gorgeous are all words used to describe Japanese Maple Trees, so who wouldn’t long for one, or even a collection of them in various types for that matter? The incredibly diverse characteristics of these plants make them hard to resist.
However, they stand out as specimens best when made the star of the show. In other words, several can be used in a garden, but don’t use multiple plants of the same variety or they won’t appear as special as when they are made a focal point. Of course, there can be more than one focal point in any garden space, so get creative; these awesome trees will inspire you to develop your garden!
There are so many varieties to choose from, in upright, mounding and cascading forms, in a range of solid changeable colors to variegated combinations. Many of these trees are size rated for 6-8’ in ten years of age but there are many variables and some will never get as large, especially if pruned properly. Japanese Maples respond well to pruning and are sometimes used for bonsai. Our experts in the Turpin Landscape Division have decades of experience in pruning these special trees throughout southeastern Pennsylvania.
Acer japonicum ‘Aconitifolium’ is known as the Dancing Peacock Maple and is an excellent selection for an amazing fall color. The name is very descriptive for in the fall when there is a breeze, the leaves dance and look alive with colors of tropical oranges, flaming reds, and brilliant yellows. This specimen prefers full sun or light shade and may reach a height of 6’ in ten years with an upright, mounded form.
Acer Palmatum dissectum ‘Filigree’ is a wonderful variegated cut leaf tree. As the name implies it has an extremely delicate texture reminiscent of Irish Lace. The leaf is a light or yellowish-green in spring, darkening later in the season, with dots, specks, or flecks of pale gold or cream over the entire leaf surface. The growth habit is pendulous like most of the dissectums. It is a compact, cascading, well-rounded plant that will eventually reach a height of 6′ with a broader width of 9′ when mature.
Other green dissectum Japanese Maples that we often use for a focal point to brighten shady areas are ‘Viridis’ and ‘Waterfall’. ‘Viridi’s is a super, bright green, cascading laceleaf that transforms into a nice glowing, orange-gold mound in the fall, and grows well in sun or light shade.
‘Waterfall’, as its name suggests is a nice weeping form that is becoming more popular since being recognized by the Pennsylvania Horticultural Society Gold Medal Plant Award. It has bright green color throughout the summer and then turns a stunningly brilliant golden-yellow with crimson overtones in the fall. This selection is a natural fit alongside our streams leading into the beautiful ponds our Turpin Water Feature Construction team builds.
Acer Palmatum in red tones are always a favorite, and ‘Crimson Queen’ has been one of the most popular for centuries. ‘Garnet’, ‘Inaba Shidare’, ‘Jeddeloh Orange’, ‘Orangeola’ and ‘Tamukeyama’ range in colors from orange to crimson and burgundy shades. All of these beauties can be the star of any garden!
If you are a plant junkie like our plant buyer, you might want to try something a little more unusual so guests will ask, “What is that plant? It looks really cool!” Acer Palmatum dissectum ‘Toyama Nishiki’ is a rare find. This plant is known as the Variegated Laceleaf Japanese Maple. It has leaves that are purple-red to greenish-red to green and white and all combinations can be on the same leaf! Each leaf has a different pattern making this a very unusual plant. Please plant only in shade because it will burn in full sun. Quite rare and most difficult to find anywhere, this has a stunning mounding form.
Acer shirasawanum is the Full Moon group of Japanese Maples. ‘Aureum’ is the Golden Full Moon Maple. This tree is very slow growing and upright when young and will mature at around 15-20 feet in very old age. The leaves in spring are a nice yellow-green and in summer turn all yellow. In the fall they show spectacular colors varying from yellow to orange to a deep red all on the same leaf. The dwarf, rounded form is a standout in any garden lucky enough to have one!
Acer shiraswanum ‘Autumn Moon’ is a newer cultivar similar to Aureum except that the new growth is tinged with a beautiful shade of pink. This is very rare and the supply is very limited. Its form is dwarf, upright so not as broad as Aureum, and yes it is drop dead gorgeous!
Special plants like Japanese Maples are not just terrific plants to own, they make great gifts for anyone who has an appreciation for plants. Special plants for special people and special occasions, the perfect combination! Starter size to established plants in more mature sizes, they can fit into any desired price point. If you are looking for a something special let us help you find it! Plants are our passion!
Looking Good Naked! In order to look good with foliage, first trees have to look good naked! Japanese Maples in hundreds of cultivars are available and valued for their colorful foliage. Colors can be red, burgundy, orange, yellow, green or purple; solid color or variegated, with finely dissected leaves or unusual shapes. Many have attractive bark that is appreciated more in the winter when the leaves are gone. So another reason to own beautiful Japanese Maples is how good they look naked! Japanese Maples make a beautiful focal point in almost any landscape
