GARDENER'S READING ROOM
Trees and Shrubs

Japanese Maples

This year we will be carrying more Japanese maples than ever. Ease of care, smallish size, and an astonishing array of colors make these trees perfect for the modern landscape. Depending on variety, they like full sun to partial shade, grow from 5 to 20 feet tall, and undergo leaf color changes from spring to summer to fall. Some have colored bark, some flower profusely and sprout bright samaras (winged seeds) in early summer. All varieties like well-drained soil and are hardy to 0° F. Following are just a few of the varieties we will stock this year:

Alpenweiss: New variety with wildly variegated leaves of green, pink and white. Grows to 15-20 feet tall and wide. Limited supply!

Sango kaku: the Coral Bark Maple. Our best seller! Bright coral-red twigs in winter. Green leaves turn gold in the fall.

Golden Full Moon: leaves are very bright gold and densely arranged. Needs afternoon shade. Slow growing to 10' by 8'.

Fernleaf Full Moon: one of the best for fall color. Large leaves turn red, purple, and gold with the cooling weather. Rounded tree to 10-15' high and wide. Dramatic!

Beni maiko: also called Red Dancer. Small, bushy tree whose emerging leaves are brilliant scarlet-red, turning rich green in summer, yellow-orange in fall.

Moonfire, Fireglow, and Sherwood Flame: among the best red-leafed varieties. Dense, rounded trees to 10-15' tall and wide. Bright red new leaves darken to brick red and purple-red and hold their color well. Fall colors range from crimson to purple.

Ukigumo: also known as Floating Cloud. Beautiful leaves of pink, cream, and green. Does great in containers too! Needs afternoon shade.

Spring Delight: Low, mounding laceleaf variety. The leaves emerge a bright, fresh green, and develop a purple tip in early summer. Fall color is bright gold with a tinge of crimson.

These are just a few - an extensive listing will be available in late January.

For more information, see Japanese Maples by J.D. Vertrees and Maples for Gardens by C.J. and D.M van Gelderen. And be sure to come in and see what we've got!

Skylights Winter/Spring 2000, Vol 14, No. 1

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