March Maple Madness Japanese Maples

Acer palmatum ‘Geisha Gone Wild’ is variegated with pink, purple, cream and green making a spectacular display in the garden. Fall color is orange and purple. So similar to 'Gwen's Rose Delight' that even the experienced collector may not be able to tell them apart, these to cultivars apparently both were collected from sports on 'Geisha' on opposite sides of the world. 'Geisha Gone Wild' is much more vigorous and stable than her sister plant. 10 year size:  Height: 8-10 Feet   Width: 4-6 Feet Spring Color: Burgundy and Pink Summer Color: Green and Cream Fall Color: Orange and Purple Sun Tolerance: Partial Planting: Elevated, Well Drained Soil

Acer palmatum ‘Kurenai Jishi’ is often referred to as the red lion’s head maple. ‘Kurenai jishi’ leafs out bright red in the spring with some of the most unique foliage you will ever see on a Japanese maple. The leaves are curled up, crinkled, and close to the branch similar to ‘Shishigashira’. The foliage on ‘Kurenai jishi’ turns from bright red to burgundy to green from spring to summer. The leaves then turn orange-red in fall. ‘Kurenai jishi’ is a dwarf Japanese maple that will only reach about 4 feet tall at maturity. 10 Year Size: Height: 3-5 feet Width: 1-3 feet

Acer Palmatum 'Crimson Queen' is One of the Most Popular Red Dwarf Japanese Maples Acer palmatum 'Crimson Queen' is a beautiful dwarf Japanese maple that has become one of the most famous Japanese maple varieties in existence. Introduced in 1965 ‘Crimson Queen’ has become the standard by which all red, lace leaf Japanese maples are judged and probably the most common dissectum grown in America. 'Crimson Queen' is one of the very best dwarf Japanese maple varieties. Its color, when in prime leaf, is unsurpassed. 'Crimson Queen' leafs out early in spring with a lighter red color that darkens as spring progresses. 'Crimson Queen' will tolerate full sun, even in hot climates but it is much happier if it can be provided with a few hours shade during the day or indirect light. Under perfect conditions Crimson Queen can hold its red color as well or better than most cultivars. In hotter climates 'Crimson Queen' will lose its red color in the summer with the leaves turning a greenish color with a bronze hue. The fall color is then a stunning bright red. Acer palmatum 'Crimson Queen' will thrive with varying results in zones 5 through 9. The growth habit is decidedly pendulous and will form a beautiful low mound only gaining height as it matures and begins to mound over itself. 'Crimson Queen' will only grow to about 4 to 6 feet tall while growing to a larger width of 6 to 8 feet wide. Crimson Queen left on it's own is beautiful and graceful but with a little training can become a specimen anyone could be proud of. 7 Gallons are 4 feet tall or less and rootballs will need to be broken up to fit in shipping boxes. What is the 10 Year Size of Acer palmatum 'Crimson Queen'? Height: 4-6 feet Width: 6-8 feet What is the Spring Color of Acer palmatum 'Crimson Queen'? Dark Red What is the Summer Color of Acer palmatum 'Crimson Queen'? Bronze and Green What is the Fall Color of Acer palmatum 'Crimson Queen'? Bright Red What is the Leaf Shape of Acer palmatum 'Crimson Queen'? Lace Leaf What is the Sun Tolerance of Acer palmatum 'Crimson Queen'? Full Sun What Growing Zones are suitable for Acer palmatum 'Crimson Queen'? Zones 5-9 What is the Shape of Acer palmatum 'Crimson Queen'? Weeping Japanese Maple What is the Growth Rate of Acer palmatum 'Crimson Queen'? Moderate Growing Dwarf Japanese Maple How should Acer palmatum 'Crimson Queen' be planted? Elevated in Well Drained Soil

‘Shirazz’ in spring is a dazzling display as new leaves emerge a bright cherry red or bright pink with olive green. As temperatures heat up the red or pink is joined by cream and green, but unlike many variegated cultivars at least some of the pink color remains all sumer long in all but he hottest climates. While sun brings out the best color, this plant needs afternoon shade especially in hot climates. Fall color ranges from red to orange. 10 year size:  Height: 10-12 Feet   Width: 6-8 Feet Spring Color: Burgundy and Pink Summer Color: Green and Cream Fall Color: Red Sun Tolerance: Partial Planting: Elevated, Well Drained Soil

Acer palmatum 'Ghost Dancer' emerges almost solid white with red tips in early spring then the green veins develop spreading through the leaf giving it color. By summer it is almost totally green. Fall color is a nice mix of yellow and red.  While the name and the reticulated foliage both link this to the others in the ghost series, this is not a Buchholz introduction. 10 year size:   Height: 7-9 Feet   Width: 5-7 Feet Spring color: White and Yellow Summer Color: Green and White Fall Color: Yellow Sun Tolerance: Partial Planting: Elevated, Well Drained Soil

'Moonfire' is one of our favorites. It seems to grow faster and hold it's color better in shade than other red leaf cultivars. 'Moonfire' also tolerates full sun and maintains it's color into the hot Georgia summer as well as any upright variety we grow. The foliage of 'Moonfire' comes out dark purple in spring but tends to turn more red as summer nears, except in more shady locations where the color remains more purple. It's leaves are slightly translucent and tend to glow when the sun lights them from behind. Fall color is bright fiery red. 'Moonfire' was discovered by Dick Wolff in 1974. 10 Year Size: Height:  12-14 feet    Width: 10-12 feet Spring Color: Burgundy Summer Color: Burgundy Fall Color: Red Sun Tolerance: Full Planting: Elevated, Well Drained Soil

The leaves of 'Elegans' emerge in spring a soft green with gold and pink hues and a slight pubescence. In summer leaves change to a pleasant medium green before putting on a real show in fall that ranges between solid yellow or yellow with orange and red. The very graceful habit of this small tree is decidedly upright when young but becomes much rounder and wide with age.  'Elegans' does best in partial shade especially in hotter climates. 10 Year Size:  Height: 8-10 Feet Width: 6-8 Feet Spring Color: Green Summer Color: Green Fall Color: Yellow Sun Tolerance: Partial Planting: Elevated, Well Drained Soil

Acer palmatum 'Seiryu' is the only Upright Growing Lace Leaf Japanese Maple Acer palmatum 'Seiryu' is known as the only upright growing lace leaf. While there are other lace leaf Japanese maples that have some upright growing habits such as 'Lionheart' and 'English Lace', there is nothing quite like 'Seiryu'. 'Seiryu' grows with a complete upright habit that grows tall just like more common upright varieties such as 'Bloodgood' or 'Red Emperor'. 'Seiryu' even grows to be one of the bigger Japanese maple varieties that we grow, making it a great specimen tree that can be the centerpiece of any garden. Its claim to fame is that Acer palmatum 'Seiryu' is considered the only upright dissectum. This is technically correct but the dissected leaf is the only similarity between 'Seiryu' and other dissectums. Actually the leaves are so much smaller, that even the leaves do not have the appearance of other dissectums. That being said, here at Maple Ridge Nurseries we love the plant we affectionately call the "weed" because it is so easy to grow. Seiryu is a fast growing  small tree that is mostly vase shaped when young growing wider and much rounder with age. The foliage appears green in spring with a slight red or pink tinge to the margins of  each leaf.  These margins quickly fade away leaving a very attractive medium green leaf for summer. Sometimes in late summer the colorful margins reappear, but this time a little more orange. Most literature describes the fall color as gold or yellow but I have never seen this except in photos from other parts of the world. In our climate the first cold air may give the tree an orange or red appearance but the leaves will always end up burgundy before dropping. What is the 10 Year Size of Acer palmatum 'Seiryu'? Height: 14-16 feet Width: 10-12 feet What is the Spring Color of Acer palmatum 'Seiryu'? Green What is the Summer Color of Acer palmatum 'Seiryu'? Green What is the Fall Color of Acer palmatum 'Seiryu'? Red What is the Leaf Shape of Acer palmatum 'Seiryu'? Small Lace Leaf What is the Sun Tolerance of Acer palmatum 'Seiryu'? Full Sun What Growing Zones are suitable for Acer palmatum 'Seiryu'? Zones 5-9 What is the Shape of Acer palmatum 'Seiryu'? Upright Japanese Maple What is the Growth Rate of Acer palmatum 'Seiryu'? Fast Growing Upright Japanese Maple How should Acer palmatum 'Seiryu' be planted? Elevated in Well Drained Soil Our 1 Gallon and 3 Gallon sizes are available for shipping and in store pickup. Our larger sizes (7 Gallon and bigger) are only available for in store pickup.

Acer palmatum 'Garnet' will Provide Great Red Color for a Weeping Dwarf Japanese Maple in Full Sun Acer palmatum ‘Garnet’ is a great weeping dwarf Japanese maple for red color. ‘Garnet’ emerges a light red color in spring which deepens and holds through most of the summer. The leaves on this beautifully shaped tree then brighten to a bright garnet red color in fall. 'Garnet' is one of our favorite red lace leaf varieties for warmer climates. 'Garnet' is a weeping dwarf Japanese maple that can handle full sun even in these warmer areas. Acer palmatum 'Garnet' does a great job of holding its red color in full sun despite warmer temperatures. 'Garnet' doesn't just grow well in warm climates though as it will grow very well in zones 5 through 10. ‘Garnet’ matures into a wonderful mound shape that is as wide as it is tall. 'Garnet' grows a little larger than some other dwarf Japanese maples but it still should only reach about 6 feet tall at maturity. 'Garnet' will grow at least as wide as it is tall getting about 6 to 8 feet wide. 'Garnet' matures into a dense and full mounding tree with age. What is the 10 Year Size of Acer palmatum 'Garnet'? Height: 4-6 feet Width: 6-8 feet What is the Spring Color of Acer palmatum 'Garnet'? Red What is the Summer Color of Acer palmatum 'Garnet'? Red What is the Fall Color of Acer palmatum 'Garnet'? Red What is the Leaf Shape of Acer palmatum 'Garnet'? Lace Leaf What is the Sun Tolerance of Acer palmatum 'Garnet'? Full Sun What Growing Zones are suitable for Acer palmatum 'Garnet'? Zones 5-10 What is the Shape of Acer palmatum 'Garnet'? Weeping Japanese Maple What is the Growth Rate of Acer palmatum 'Garnet'? Moderate Growing Dwarf Japanese Maple How should Acer palmatum 'Garnet' be planted? Elevated in Well Drained Soil Our 1 Gallon and 3 Gallon sizes are available for shipping and in store pickup. Our larger sizes (7 Gallon and bigger) are only available for in store pickup.

Acer palmatum ‘Celebration’ is a Japanese maple with reticulated variegation. ‘Celebration’ may have the brightest pink color of any of the reticulated varieties. The bright pink leaves are contrasted by dark red veins. ‘Celebration’ will fade somewhat in the summer to a greenish color, but the reticulation still holds strong. There is often also a second push of new growth in the summer that displays the wonderful spring colors yet again on top of the more mature summer foliage. Fall color is red. 10 Year Size: Height: 8-10 feet Width: 4-6 feet

‘Elizabeth’ is another great little witches broom discovered by Ed "Skeeter" Rod and named for his wife Elizabeth, this small tree should have a place in every garden. Although fast growing when young this plant slows down when older staying very compact. New growth is bright red and very vivid. Older foliage is more maroon. Color holds well into the summer even in hot climates. 10 year size: Height: 4-5 Feet   Width: 3-4 Feet  

‘Germaine’s Gyration’ was discovered by Bob Vandermoss and introduced by Andre Iselli for his mother Germaine. This outstanding dissectum variety does well in the south, tolerating even full sun. This is important because most green dissectums will not tolerate full sun as far south as Atlanta. Germaine's Gyration will become much wider than tall with the inner branching swirling around the main trunk in different directions making it obvious where the gyration part of the name came from. The outer form of the tree however is a very pleasant and fairly symmetrical mound. Fall color begins in October as a golden yellow first turning orange then almost red as the temperatures cool in November. 10 Year Size:   Height:  4-6 Feet    Width:  6-9 Feet Spring Color: Green Summer Color: Green Fall Color: Yellow, Orange Sun Tolerance: Full Sun Planting: Elevated, Well Drained Soil

Acer palmatum 'Waterfall' Dwarf Japanese Maple with Green Lace Leaves and the Weeping "Waterfall" Shape Acer palmatum ‘Waterfall’ is a stunning weeping dwarf Japanese maple with green lacy leaves. 'Waterfall' is quite similar to Acer palmatum 'Viridis', however the leaf shape can be slightly different as well as different variations of yellow and orange fall color. Acer palmatum 'Waterfall' emerges in spring with bright lime green color that darkens as the temperatures get warmer in the summer. 'Waterfall' displays an excellent green color through the spring and summer that will really brighten up a landscape. In the fall 'Waterfall' will turn bright yellow and orange and is a true show stopper. Given the name 'Waterfall' it should come as no surprise that it is a weeping dwarf Japanese maple with cascading, waterfall-like growth. 'Waterfall' is a medium growing dwarf Japanese maple that should reach about 4 to 6 feet tall and about as wide. 'Waterfall' has elegant weeping branches that give the tree nice flow and character. Acer palmatum 'Waterfall' is a strong growing dwarf Japanese maple that will grow well in zones 5 through 9. In many areas of the country 'Waterfall' will be able to handle full sun. It can even tolerate full sun in hotter climates but would certainly appreciate a break from the hot afternoon sun if possible. We see very little difference in shape or leaf size at our nursery, although it may be slightly slower growing. Where we do see a huge difference is in the fall color which in addition to the bright yellow and gold of 'Viridis', 'Waterfall' displays wonderful reds and oranges washed across the leaves. What is the 10 Year Size of Acer palmatum 'Waterfall'? Height: 4-6 feet Width: 6-8 feet What is the Spring Color of Acer palmatum 'Waterfall'? Green What is the Summer Color of Acer palmatum 'Waterfall'? Green What is the Fall Color of Acer palmatum 'Waterfall'? Yellow and Orange What is the Leaf Shape of Acer palmatum 'Waterfall'? Lace Leaf What is the Sun Tolerance of Acer palmatum 'Waterfall'? Partial Sun What Growing Zones are suitable for Acer palmatum 'Waterfall'? Zones 5-9 What is the Shape of Acer palmatum 'Waterfall'? Weeping Japanese Maple What is the Growth Rate of Acer palmatum 'Waterfall'? Moderate Growing Dwarf Japanese Maple How should Acer palmatum 'Waterfall' be planted? Elevated in Well Drained Soil Our 1 Gallon and 3 Gallon sizes are available for shipping and in store pickup. Our larger sizes (7 Gallon and bigger) are only available for in store pickup.

Acer palmatum ‘Shishigashira’ the Famous Lions Head Japanese Maple with Unique Crinkled Leaves Acer palmatum 'Shishigashira' is one of the most unique varieties of Japanese maples in existence. 'Shishigashira' has small leaves with crinkled up edges that gives this Japanese maple one of the strangest appearances you will see on a tree. These small strange leaves are light green early in spring and turn a darker green for the rest of the spring and summer. In the fall the cool weather will change the leaves of 'Shishigashira' from green to a brilliant dark orange. For such small and uniquely shaped leaves 'Shishigashira' still puts on quite a show in the fall. Acer palmatum 'Shishigashira' is a dwarf Japanese maple that will only reach about 6 feet tall over 10 years. It will keep growing and can reach larger heights over decades, but it is a slow growing dwarf Japanese maple that will take some time to achieve any real height. 'Shishigashira' grows very upright and pretty narrow. The branches of 'Shishigashira' are very stiff and hard to manipulate. The stiffness of the branches compliments the unique crinkle shape of the leaves and gives the appearance of a bonsai in the garden. 'Shishigashira' is the perfect tree for Japanese gardens and a near must have for any smaller landscape. 'Shishigashira' grows well in a variety of climates. It can be grown in zones 5 through 9 and can handle full sun in all but the hottest areas. In warmer climates it is best to give 'Shishigashira' a break from the hot afternoon sun. These trees don't require a lot of sun though and can be grown in shade in pretty much all climates. Shishigashira actually refers to two different old cultivars that are both considered "lions' head" maples, 'Meijishi' and 'O jishi'. 'Meijishi' is known as the female lion and 'O jishi' is known as the male lion. These names come from the mythical male and female lions of a Japanese drama that dates back over 900 years. The name Shishigashira means lions head and comes from the costume worn while doing the lion dance to exorcise evil spirits. While this term can be used to describe either cultivar it is generally used to describe 'Meijishi' and the plant generally labeled 'Shishigashira' in nurseries is almost always 'Meijishi'. While both plants have crinkled tightly congested foliage arranged along stiff upright branches, 'Meijishi's foliage is a little more tightly congested and darker green than that of 'O jishi'. 'Meijishi' is also faster growing. 'O jishi' has bright red fall color while 'Meijishi' has fall color that is more orange.  Either plant is excellent for containers and make wonderful patio trees. What is the 10 Year Size of Acer palmatum 'Shishigashira'? Height: 6-8 feet Width: 3-4 feet What is the Spring Color of Acer palmatum 'Shishigashira'? Green What is the Summer Color of Acer palmatum 'Shishigashira'? Green What is the Fall Color of Acer palmatum 'Shishigashira'? Orange What is the Leaf Shape of Acer palmatum 'Shishigashira'? Crinkle Leaf What is the Sun Tolerance of Acer palmatum 'Shishigashira'? Partial Sun What Growing Zones are suitable for Acer palmatum 'Shishigashira'? Zones 5-9 What is the Shape of Acer palmatum 'Shishigashira'? Upright Japanese Maple What is the Growth Rate of Acer palmatum 'Shishigashira'? Slow Growing Dwarf Japanese Maple How should Acer palmatum 'Shishigashira' be planted? Elevated in Well Drained Soil

Acer palmatum ‘Orange Dream’ is one of the first trees to announce that spring is here and does so with eye popping color. The yellow, orange and red of early spring turns first more yellow then to a subtle green for summer. In hotter climates this cultivar should be sited in partial shade,  In cooler climates the orange lasts much longer into the summer. Fall color is bright orange or sometimes red. This cultivar was first selected at Fratelli Gilardelli Nursery in Italy in the late 1980s. 10 Year size:  Height:  10-12  Feet    Width:  6-8  Feet Spring Color: Yellow Summer Color: Green Fall Color: Orange Sun Tolerance: Partial Planting: Elevated, Well Drained Soil

Acer palmatum ‘Firefly’ is an awesome new Japanese maple with intense reticulated variegation. ‘Firefly’ is hot pink in the spring with bright green veins. The colors on ‘Firefly’ seem to change daily as the leaves range from pinks to oranges and everywhere in between. The creamy white center of the leaf and bright green veining make this one of the best reticulated leaves of any Japanese maple. ‘Firefly’ has an upright growth habit, forming a small to medium size tree at maturity. 10 Year Size: Height: 8-10 feet Width: 4-6 feet