Acer shirasawanum 'Autumn Moon'

Selected by J. D. Vertrees in the 1970's this hard to find cultivar in the same genus as the Golden Full Moon Maple [Acer shirasawanum Aureum].

A small to medium sized tree with wonderful color throughout the growing season. The new growth ranges in color from yellow to dark orange. Summer color tones similarly are shades of lemon green, gold, salmon and orange. Recommended sun exposure is in the morning with some shade protection in the hot afternoon sun. Fall colors mirror the spring and summer look with all the leaves darker in color from gold to red. A must for a Japanese Maple collector.

Picture courtesy of Talon Buchholz and Buchholz and Buchholz Nursery in Gaston, Oregon.

          Acer palmatum dissectum 'Orangeola'

One of the most outstanding lace-leaf weepers to be introduced 20 years ago. Spring color is bright orange-red. Orangeola is a vigorous grower, but is still considered a smaller lace-leaf than some reds, including Inaba Shidare. A medium sized weeper  with wonderful color throughout the growing season. The new growth ranges in color from orange to red.  Summer color tones are bold from orange or green.   Then in late summer another flush of new growth shows more red orange with finally an orange finish in fall. Recommended sun exposure is mostly sun. This variety can take hot afternoon sun with adequate moisture. Estimated height in 10 years is 5' tall, though not as wide.

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              Acer palmatum 'Oshu shidare'

Leaves of Oshu shidare in the fall.

This cultivar is an upright tree with a cascading habit, as with a weeping willow. Oshu shidare is a red cultivar with a vigorous growth rate. The leaves a dark purple maroon during the summer  with a greenish cast to the underside. As the tree grows the branches are pendulous, like Omurayama. This cascading habit make this hard to find maple another collector's choice.

The height of this tree in 10 years is 10' reaching a maximum height of 15'. Fall color is scarlet red.

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       Acer palmatum 'Peaches and Cream'

Peaches and Cream is another relatively new cultivar in the variegated category. A small to medium sized tree with wonderful color throughout the growing season. The new growth ranges in color from cream to peach to rose on light green leaves. This cultivar has reticulated leaves; again the veins show prominently on each leaf.  Summer color tones similarly show shades of light green with peachy overtones. Recommended sun exposure is in the morning with some shade protection in the hot afternoon sun. Fall colors mirror the spring and summer look with the leaves darker in color from gold to crimson. Estimated height in 10 years is 6' with the 'vase-like' growth habit.

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            Acer palmatum 'Pixie'

Pixie is a dwarf red cultivar with deeply divided leaves maple that grows to only 6' tall. Pixie prefers full sun, but can handle some partial shade. An ideal red leaf cultivar for a container or a small garden. Spring color is pink red turning to burgundy in the summer and then crimson in the fall.

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                Acer palmatum 'Purple Ghost'

   Picture left displays summer color and on the right is the change to fall color - scarlet

Purple Ghost is another in the Ghost series developed by Talon Buchholz with Buchholz and Buchholz Nursery in Gaston, Oregon. The first picture of the unusual leaf structure and color of Purple Ghost is courtesy of Talon Buchholz.

A medium sized tree, the new growth ranges from lavender to dark purple depending upon the sun or shade location. With more sun the leaf color is deep purple. The reticulated leaves often appear ruffled. The term reticulated relates to the visibility of the veins in the leaves. In the fall this cultivar displays a brilliant purple/red color.

Height in 10 years is 9' with a maximum height of 12' and 5' wide. A collector's choice. Some pruning may be necessary for shipment.

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Red Dragon is the only cultivar of a red dissectum  that we currently grow.  The 3rd addition of  Japanese Maples  by J.D. Vertrees states that Red Dragon is the best maple for holding its red color through the summer and "may well prove to be the standard in the future." (P. 196) Red Dragon does not grow as fast as some of the other red lace leaves--Crimson Queen, Ever Red, Garnet and Inaba Shidare to name a few.

New growth is bright red changing to maroon-red in the summer. Fall color is flaming scarlet. The growth habit is compact and shows a well-branched cascading mound.

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             Acer palmatum 'Sagara nishiki'

   Picture left displays new growth and on the right the variegation of yellow dots around each green leaf

Rare and unusual, this hard to find variegated tree will be the envy of those visiting your garden. The foliage is beautiful and requires semi-shade for the best effect. Hot afternoon sun will burn the leaves and bleach out the variation.  New growth displays pale yellow with a light green base color. Yellow dots outline each green leaf. This gives the leaf a two-tone affect.

Sagara nishiki is a small tree that may reach 7' in 10 years. Eventually, the maximum height can reach 9'. Fall colors are yellow, gold, and orange. Some pruning may be necessary for shipment.

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        Acer palmatum 'Seiryu'

This cultivar is in the dissectum group, but it is an upright tree and not a weeping maple. Seiryu is one of a few laceleaf upright trees.  This picture shows the brilliant contrast between Seiryu's green foliage and the red foliage of the lace leaf maple Red Dragon in the rear.

This often hard to find maple may reach 10' or 11' at maturity. The structure of the tree and the feathery leaves allow filtered sunlight to show through. The fall color is crimson red. Some pruning may be necessary for shipment.

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         Acer palmatum 'Sensu'

Sensu is another new cultivar introduced by Talon Buchholz with Buchholz and Buchholz Nursery in Gaston, Oregon. The name Sensu is Japanese for 'moving fan.' Sensu gracefully grows to an upright tree of about 7-8'. Overall the maple has a narrow growth habit that makes it perfect for a small space. Some pruning may be necessary for shipment.

The fall color is crimson red. 

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             Acer palmatum 'Shigitatsu sawa'

A very old Japanese cultivar dating back to the 1600's. In J.D. Vertrees book Japanese Maples, he describes this small tree as a variegated cultivar. [page 208-209.] As described in the book variegation is found in the new growth with interspaces of yellow on the light green leaves. We believe 'Shigitatsu sawa' is best grown in shade or indirect sunlight that can be found on the North side of many homes or in a patio container on a shaded deck. In the right growing conditions the new leaves seem almost opaque and more white than green. The reticulated leaves are quite prominent with dark green veins showing through both in spring and throughout the summer.

Shigitatsu sawa is a slow grower and forms a small tree with a height of 5' in 10 years. Fall colors range from orange reds to crimson. This maple makes a wonderful specimen for a small garden with its changing seasonal interest.

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          Acer palmatum 'Shigure bato'

Shigure bato is a beautiful green cultivar. In Japanese the name Shigure bato means 'late fall rain.' New foliage emerges with a dazzling red tone that lasts through the spring. The leaves appear feathery and light. Summer color is green with red tinges on the tips of the leaves. 

Fall colors range from gold to orange, to crimson. This cultivar grows in an upright form, though not rapidly. In 10 years, it may reach a total of 9' high and nearly as wide.

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   Acer palmatum 'Shindeshojo' [spring growth]

Shindeshojo is a medium sized , green palmatum cultivar with a magnificent spring look. The new growth is hot pink or some describe as red-pink which makes this cultivar a real looker in the garden. The change to summer green foliage is slow with pink tints on green leaves.  In the fall the foliage is a brilliant combination of oranges and reds. Shindeshojo can obtain a height of 10' in as many years. Branching can be twiggy, so pruning is a must to maintain a nice garden shape. This tree does well in full sun, but some partial shade is acceptable. Some pruning may be necessary for shipment.

Shindeshojo is a good selection for either bonsai, a patio container or a focal point in a small garden.

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             Acer palmatum 'Shishigashira'

Shishigashira is an older cultivar in the palmatum category. A medium sized tree with a most unusual characteristic--the leaves are small and crinkled around upright branches. In Japanese the name translates to Lion's Head' or Lion's Mane based upon a mythical lion in Japanese drama because of its shape and growth habit. Bunched up, heavily curled leaves grow at the end of short stout shoots.

The foliage is deep green and firm to the touch. The tree is stout and does not wave in the wind, as with most maples. This maple loves full sun and does not burn. Shishigashira is considered a slow growing tree suitable for bonsai enthusiasts. However, over fertilization may lead to rapid growth and an overall leggy look which is not desirable.

The dark green foliage turns to gold and finally scarlet red in the fall. The estimated height in 10 years is 12'. Shishigashira like other Japanese maples benefits from pruning to shape the tree.

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      Acer palmatum 'Shojo nomura'

A beautiful, hard to find red palmatum with its own unique characteristics. The name in Japanese means "little red-faced monkeys". Spring growth is dark red-purple. In summer the leaves are very distinctive with a green undertone and orange-red on top. This is a slow growing cultivar destined to reach only 15' in an many years. Fall color is crimson. A maple for maple collectors. Some pruning may be necessary for shipment.