While most people are attracted to the bright colored foliage of purple and yellow leaved maples, it’s the green types that usually produce the best fall colors. Most are easy to grow and are suitable for full sun or partial shade, although too much afternoon shade can affect the fall color. Important is soil conditions, no Japanese maples will tolerate standing water, especially in winter, so plant only in well-drained soil. Use a slow release fertilizer in spring and water moderately during the summer months. Also important is pruning, which should only be done after any chance of frost is past. At the nursery we usually prune our maples in the summer time, this is also the time we graft our new maples. The ten listed below are very different from each other in both form, leaf shape and fall color. These ten are but a small sampling of the green leafed types that are available on the market today, there are so many more. Every year there are new cultivars available, but the ten I picked have stood the test of time and proven both hardy and popular.
1# ‘Hogyoku’ Acer palmatum: Large shrub-like tree reaching 16′-20′ tall at maturity, fairly slow growing it will take some time to reach this height. This maple has a an attractive broad seven-lobed leaf, that turns a rich deep orange in fall. Easy to grow but still fairy uncommon on the market today.
2# Kihachijo: Acer palmatum: A rounded shrub-like tree reaching up to 16′-20′ tall at maturity, but can easily be pruned to maintain a smaller size. The bright green leaf is seven-lobed and deeply divided with serrated edges. This attractive maple has brilliant red, orange and yellow fall color and has unique grayish-green bark.
3# Koto-no-ito: Acer palmatum: This small maple is slow growing, reaching 10′ tall with a vase-shaped form. The five or seven-lobed leaves are thread-like giving this hardy little tree a delicate look. An attractive golden-yellow color with an orange tint in fall. While fully sun tolerant it benefits from some shelter from hot drying summer winds. Suitable for small gardens, it also makes a good container shrub.
4# Mikawa yatsubusa: Acer palmatum: A compact dwarf reaching 5′ tall and densely branched. The fresh green leaves overlap giving it a unique layered look. The leaves are five to seven lobed, deeply divided and taper to a point. The fall color on this little gem is yellow and orange. This small shrub makes an excellent container plant or can be used for rockeries or Bonsai.
5# Sango kaku: Acer palmatum: This large growing Japanese maple can reach up to 26′ tall x 20′ wide at maturity, but can be maintained as a smaller form with annual pruning. Often referred to as the coral bark maple because of the coral-red bark which intensifies in fall and throughout winter. The small light green leaves are red edged in spring turning a striking golden-yellow with a pinkish-red tinge in fall. Best planted in a sheltered spot from winter winds to avoid tip die-back.
6# Satsuki beni: Acer palmatum: A beautiful vigorous shrub-like maple which grows 16′ tall or more at maturity. The attractive seven lobed broad leaf has a rounded shape and is bright green in spring with red tips. Outstanding orange-red to crimson fall color, makes this maple a nice addition to the landscape.
7# Seiryu: Acer palmatum dissectum: Large tree-like maple with a wide canopy, reaching 16′-23′ tall x 10′-13′ wide. This is one of the few upright Japanese maples with lace leaf foliage similar to the cascading types. The delicate light green leaves turn a golden-orange to reddish-scarlet in fall. The fairly fast growth rate, size and width makes this graceful tree unsuitable for small gardens.
8# Shishigashira: Acer palmatum: The lion’s mane maple is a slow growing vase-shaped shrub-like tree, and while it can reach a good size with great age it will take a very long time. A very dense and compact form with stiff upright branching. The unique small dark green leaves are curled giving it a crinkled look. The new growth is bright green contrasting attractively with the darker foliage. Fall color is golden with a crimson hue. The slow growth rate makes this a great maple for small gardens, containers or Bonsai.
9# Ukon: Acer palmatum: What sets this shrub-like maple apart from the rest is the pea-green bark and branches, becoming very noticeable in winter. The small leaves are light green and turn bright yellow in fall. Slow growing it can reach 20′ tall with a wide canopy but this will take a very long time. A beautiful maple for winter accent and the slow growth rate makes it suitable for large containers.
10# Wou nishiki: Acer palmatum dissectum: Narrow upright maple, reaching about 13′ tall at maturity. The leaves are deeply divided with serrated edges and taper to long sharp tips. The bright green foliage turns a bright crimson in fall. The narrow canopy makes this a nice maple for smaller gardens.
