Acer palmatum 'Beni maiko'

Palmatum Group
Corallinum Type

The name means red dancing girl. Emerging foliage in spring is brilliant fire engine red turning pinkish before turning totally green by late May in Georgia. In spring it is hard to distinguish this cultivar from others like 'Shin de shojo' or 'Shishio Improved'. It probably does not hold its color as long as either of these cultivars but in summer after turning completely green it does something unique. The second season growth on mature plants will come out puckered. dark scarlet red with green veins and the lobes of the small odd leaves will sometimes be very strangely shaped. 'Beni maiko' has a very graceful habit, starting off as openly vase shaped when young becomig more round topped with age. Fall color is usually orange.