Mike's Garden Top 5 Plants

Acer palmatum ‘Taylor’ – A Dutch introduction with deeply lobed, serrated lime green leaves that emerge pink and develop white margins. It colours best with some morning sun but will need to be mulched, as the leaves will scorch as soon as the soil dries. Due to its slow growth habit ‘Taylor’ also makes a great container specimen. Grows 4′ high and 3′ wide in 10 years. Z6.

Acer palmatum var. dissectum ‘Green Mist’ – This weeping Japanese maple has very finely cut green leaves that often have a crimson overcast with some sun. While slow growing at first, it is rather vigorous with age and can be trained into a taller specimen with staking. ‘Green Mist’ also has intense autumn tones of orange and deep red. Grows 3-5′ high by 5-7′ wide in 10 years. Zone 6.

Acer palmatum ‘Taiyo nishiki’ – This sport of ‘Asahi-zuru’ has deeply divided green leaves with prominent pink and creamy-yellow highlights in spring. The Japanese name translates as ‘big-leaved brocade’ and fall colours include reds and oranges (with some sun). It also has beautiful red stems that add to the overall display. Grows 8′ high by 4-5′ wide in 10 years. Zone 6.

Acer palmatum ‘Meijishi’ (syn. ‘Ribesifolium’, ‘Shishi-gashira’) – This cultivar name comes up infrequently and is just a female reference to the Lion’s Head maple or ‘Shishi-gashira’ (with ‘Ojishi’ being the male lion). It is an RHS Award of Garden Merit winner with congested currant-like leaves and fabulous fall foliage. Grows 12 to 15′ high and wide (occasionally taller). Zone 6.

Acer palmatum ‘Asahi-zuru’ – The ‘Rising Sun’ Japanese maple is best grown in partial shade, with some protection from the hot afternoon sun. It features spectacular variegated foliage of green leaves with irregular variegation of pink and white which changes from leaf to leaf. Autumn will bring foliage tones of red and orange. Grows 10-15′ high by 15-18′ wide. Hardy to zone 5.

Acer palmatum ‘Coonara Pygmy’ – A ‘witches broom’ selection from Australia with a dense growth habit, making it a good bonsai specimen. This cultivar flushes with pink highlights on green foliage, shifting to green in summer and a brilliant reddish-orange in autumn. ‘Coonara Pygmy’ makes an excellent container plant. Grows 4-5′ high and wide. Hardy to zone 5.

Acer palmatum var. dissectum ‘Baldsmith’ – An ever-changing weeping Japanese maple with leaves emerging reddish-orange in spring and then shifting to green with crisp red margins. It eventually fades to green but makes up for this with vibrant yellows and oranges in the fall. A great choice for those who appreciate seasonal colour. Grows 4-6′ high by 6-8′. Zone 6.

Acer palmatum ‘Hupp’s Dwarf ‘ – A very dense growing upright form with tiny green leaves that emerge pink-tinted and mature to a deep green. It is an excellent bonsai or container specimen, particularly with its red to orange autumn foliage. This variety also works well in miniature or fairy gardens. Rare in cultivation. Grows 2-3’ high by 18-36″ wide in 10 years. Zone 5.

Acer shirasawanum ‘Autumn Moon’ – This chance seedling was a J.D. Vertrees find and features broad golden leaves that unfurl with salmon-pink to reddish-orange highlights that are more pronounced with some sun. In regions with hot summers, it should be planted with afternoon shade. Reddish-orange autumn tones. Grows 15′ high by 18′ wide. Hardy to zone 5.

Acer palmatum var. dissectum ‘Emerald Lace’ – A fast growing weeping Japanese maple with finely cut green foliage which emerges with red highlights and shifts to a bold purplish-red in the fall. ‘Emerald Lace’ tolerates full sun in coastal BC and is an RHS Award of Garden Merit winner. It has a rounded, pendulous growth habit. Grows 4-6′ tall by 7-8′ wide in 10 yrs. Zone 6.