Japanese Maples and Conifers

'Beni hime' is a great, very small maple that comes out a bright red in spring. After the first big push on new grafts, which can be 4 to 6 inches long, 'Beni hime' becomes one of the slowest growing maples with annual growth rarely exceeding 1-2 inches. As the weather gets hotter in summer the older leaves turn dark green while the ever present new growth on the tips tends to stay bright red, although it seems quite ironic that a tree that stays so small should always have new growth. Beni hime is one of the best small plants for the landscape but always seems to be in short supply due to the fact that it can be difficult to propagate. Fall color is especially nice for a dwarf.10 year size:  Height:  1-2 Feet    Width:  1-2 Feet

Introduced by Billy Schwartz of Green Mansions Nursery, 'Baby Lace' was the first witches broom discovered on a dissectum. The leaves are small, intricate and just about as finely dissected as 'Red Filigree Lace' only much more irregular. In spring the color is astounding, with pink, red and green all mixed together but as the new growth hardens off the color quickly becomes a solid light green.  Fall color is a nice mix of yellows, oranges and reds. Although 'Baby Lace' is a highly sought after cultivar, it is hard to find in the trade due to the fact that it is rather slow growing and can be difficult to propagate.10 Year Size:  Height:  2-4 Feet    Width:  3-5 Feet

'Aratama' is a very unusual, very attractive dwarf maple. In early spring the brick red leaves appear to be clumped on the long horizontal branches. As summer comes along the leaves change to a dark almost olive color and then to gold and orange in the fall. 'Aratama' means uncut gem which fits wonderfully because this little maple greatly benefits from occasional pruning of its sometimes unruly branches.10 year size: Height: 3-4 Feet   Width: 3-4 Feet

Around since at least 1978, this is a great little shrub type maple with larger leaves than some of the hime types that it looks similar to. 'Aoba jo' means beautiful green leaves. Fall color is orange and yellow. While older specimens can reach 6-8 feet in height this is a tight growing shrub that should not reach more than 5 feet in 10 years. 10 Year Size: Height:  3-5 Feet    Width:  3-6 Feet

Very similar to Higasi yama in spring color but more compact, this small vase shaped tree arrives in spring with an explosion of color.  Introduced by Bob Baltzer, owner of Baltzer's Specialized Nursery in Pleasant Hill, Oregon, Alpenweis means "Alpine white."  Fall colors include a wonderful blend of amber, red and gold.10 year size:  Height: 7-9 Feet   Width: 4-5 Feet

Acer palmatum ‘Aizumi nishiki’ is a small Japanese maple with intense variegation. This tree is splashed with pinks and whites and greens. These colors are similar but more intense and consistent than the classic ‘Oridino nishiki’ Like most variegated varieties, ‘Aizumi nishiki’ should be planted in shade for the best color, or at least given protection from the hot afternoon sun. Height 6-8 feet Width: 4-6 feet

Acer palmatum ‘Abigail Rose’ is a dwarf Japanese maple with variegated foliage similar to Higasayama. The variegation on ‘Abigail Rose’ is a little more red and hot pink than the lighter pinks of Higasayama. ‘Abigail Rose’ will grow into a short dense shrub that needs to be protected from the hot afternoon sun.

‘Ao shime no chi’ is an interesting linearilobum type Japanese maple that may have 3, 5 or even 7 lobed leaves. In early spring the lobes are quite narrow becoming more broad as summer arrives. Late season new growth has decidedly wider lobes and may even appear palmate. The overall shape of the tree is quite graceful becoming  just about as broad as it is tall with maturity. 'Ao shime no uchi' is a great plant for containers and tolerates sun very well, although it is best when given a break from a full days sun in hotter climates. Fall color can range from orange to gold early then eventually turning mostly yellow. 10 year size:  Height: 5-7 Feet   Width: 5-7 FeetSpring Color: GreenSummer Color: GreenFall Color: Yellow, OrangeSun Exposure: PartialPlanting: Elevated, Well Drained Soil

Acer palmatum ‘Matsukaze’ is an excellent Japanese maple with wonderful spring color. The highly deeply divided leaves emerge light red to bronze in the spring. These leaves fade to an attractive green for the rest of the summer. Fall color is then a brilliant red. 10 Year Size: Height: 10-12 feet Width: 6-8 feet

Pinus strobus ‘Nana’ is a dwarf form of Eastern white pine. ‘Nana’ forms an evenly shaped tree in both height and width. The foliage of ‘Nana’ has a soft, fluffy appearance with longish blue-green needles. ‘Nana’ translates to dwarf which makes sense for this attractive little Eastern white pine. While ‘Nana’ stays small, it does get large enough to potentially be a centerpiece in smaller landscapes.10 Year Size: Height: 4-6 feet Width: 4-6 feet

Pinus parviflora ‘Catherine Elizabeth’ is a dwarf selection of Japanese white pine introduced in the United Kingdom by John Proudfoot. ‘Catherine Elizabeth’ stays very small and only grows to about 1 to 2 feet tall at maturity. ‘Catherine Elizabeth’ is known for its small stature and short, blueish needles. ‘Catherine Elizabeth’ is the perfect Japanese White Pine cultivar for bonsai, rock gardens, or small landscapes. 10 Year Size: Height: 1-2 feet Width: 1-2 feet

Thuja occidentalis ‘Holmstrup’ is an attractive, dwarf form of Arborvitae. ‘Holmstrup’ only reaches about 6 feet tall at maturity and stays quite narrow as well. ‘Holmstrup’ is an excellent tree for small spaces in the landscape or as the focal point of a smaller garden. ‘Holmstrup’ has soft, attractive green foliage that almost appears to spiral around the central trunk. 10 Year Size: Height: 4-6 feet Width: 1-2 feet

Thuja plicata ‘Whipcord’ is a dwarf form or Western red cedar with some of the most unique foliage you will ever see. ‘Whipcord’ gets its name from this unusually long and stringy foliage. The branches look like long cords. ‘Whipcord’ develops into a dense mound with time getting no bigger than a couple feet tall at maturity. The abundance of long, cordlike branches on mature specimens is a very attractive appearance and a must have for nearly any garden.10 Year Size: Height: 1-2 feet Width: 1-2 feet