Japanese Maples and Conifers

Acer palmatum ‘Lemon Chiffon’ emerges in spring with a much brighter yellow color to the leaves than just about any other lace leaf variety. The leaves darken a little bit in the summer to a chartreuse green which really stands out among the muted greens more typically found in the summer. Fall color is a bright yellow to orange. ‘Lemon Chiffon’ has a low spreading habit and should never get as tall as it is wide. 10 Year Size: Height: 3-5 feet Width: 4-6 feet

‘Red Select’ is a very pendulous lace leaf with foliage that emerges purple and becomes redder as it progresses through the spring. When summer arrives 'Red Select' molts from red to green before adding long branches of bright red in late summer.  One of the smaller dissectums, ‘Red Select’ left unattended will become a beautiful low sprawling mound. Some growers stake this maple when young to show off its wonderful cascading habit. Fall color is a glorious bright red.10 years Size: Height 3-4 feet Width 6-8 Feet Spring Color: BurgundySummer Color: GreenFall Color: RedSun Tolerance: FullPlanting: Elevated, Well Drained Soil

Pinus Strobus ‘Shaggy Dog’ is a dwarf form of Eastern white pine. ‘Shaggy Dog’ forms a rounded mound with soft green foliage. ‘Shaggy Dog’ has a more spreading habit than many of the other dwarf forms of Eastern white pines which have more of a dense habit. ‘Shaggy Dog’ was discovered as a seedling in the 1980s by Dr. Sydney Waxman. 10 Year Size: Height: 2-4 feet Width: 2-4 feet

Cryptomeria japonica ‘Bandai’ is a mounding form of Japanese cedar with the foliage appearing to form in tight dark green clumps. It will be slightly taller than wide. It will grow equally well in sun or shade.This plant is sometimes called 'Bandai Sugi' but according to recently accepted rules for plant names the sugi has been dropped because it means Cryptomeria and thus is redundant. Cones appear light green in fall turning brown by winter.10 year size:   Height: 3-4 Feet   Width: 2-3 Feet

Chamaecyparis obtusa ‘Kamaeni hiba’ is a great little hinoki cypress with bright yellow foliage when grown in more sun, the yellow fades when placed in too much shade.  The twisted and clustered branches of this little guy give it a very interesting texture that should earn it a spot in every garden. 10 year size:   Height: 2-3 Feet   Width: 2-3 Feet

Cryptomeria Japonica 'Cristata' is mostly known for it's interesting cocks-comb shaped fasciations. Along with the very interesting fasciations you get a very attractive loosely branched, upright tree with bright green foliage.. Also known as the Crested Japanese Cedar, 'Cristata' was exported from Japan around 1900.10 year size:   Height: 6-9 Feet   Width: 3-4 Feet

Chamaecyparis obtusa ‘Kosteri’ is a small upright conical shrub. 'Kosteri' grows almost as wide as it does tall. As if the rich green foliage and the chocolate colored bark were not enough to make 'Kosteri' beautiful,  add the fact that the leaves tend to curl downward on the ends and you get one of the most regal forms in the garden and one of my favorite conifers. In hotter climates 'Kosteri' benefits from some shade but do not give it to much as to much shade will make it thin.10 year size:   Height: 3-4 Feet   Width: 2-3 Feet

Pinus parviflora ‘Billie’ is a charming dwarf evergreen conifer with a dense, pyramidal form that brings structure. Its short, soft needles emerge a light, silver-green color which offers a refreshing contrast to the more common blue-green tones found in many Japanese white pine cultivars. This slow-growing selection reaches approximately 3 feet tall and 2 feet wide in 10 years.  ‘Billie’ was originally raised as a seedling by John Proudfoot of Scotland and has become a sought-after variety for collectors and conifer enthusiasts alike. 'Billie' can handle full sun in most climates, but prefers some shade in the hottest climates.   

Acer palmatum ‘Villa taranto’ is a linearlobum type Japanese maple with long, skinny leaves. These leaves go through a transition of color from peach to red to orange in the spring, green in the summer, and finally an orange-red in the fall. These trees are not displaying their usual characteristics, but they are still great looking Japanese maples. In my experience reverted trees still display typical fall colors regardless of the shape of the leaves. These trees are also not guaranteed to never regain their distinguishing characteristics, but they aren't currently showing it so it has to be noted.