Japanese Maple (Acer palmatum) is a small ornamental tree growing to 25 feet, with a wide, domed or rounded shape and with very good layering. The layering and intense burgundy-red color of the foliage has made this tree a favorite in Japanese-style landscaping for hundreds of years. These photographs were taken in Cave Hill Cemetary, Louisville, Kentucky, in April of 1999.

There are hundreds of cultivars, mostly of Japanese origin. Among the more popular are "Bloodgood" with red leaf color all summer; "Burgundy Lace" with finely cut purplish-red leaves all summer ; "Senkaki" with coral-red branches; "Waterfall" with finely cut green leaves, cascading over each other; and "Dissectum" with deeply cut lobed leaves, weeping, twisted branches, and gold-orange fall color. Some of them can be very expensive and some will only grow to a height of less than 8 feet.

Our exotic seed offering is of the Acer palmatum variety only. It is easily propagated from seed and its relatively slow growth makes it a natural for training in any Japanese-style garded or lawn. It can also be trained as a bonsai specimen.

Winter hardy in sones 6-8.