Japanese Maple Green Variety

(Question)

I am looking into purchasing a green variety Japanese maple, ideally a Katsura, but I cannot find a store that carries it at the moment. It will be in a partial shade area (afternoon sun), and I need something that does not grow beyond 6-7 feet. It will be across the path from a red Japanese maple so I don’t want another red variety. I would appreciate any comments re suitable varieties and also where I can find them.

(Answer)

Please note that Acer palmatum ‘Katsura’ (which grows to a height of 10-18 feet – much taller than you want!) will have pale yellow-orange leaves in the spring that fade to green in the summer, then the yellow-orange leaves return for autumn leaf drop.

Some other Japanese maples to consider:

  • Acer palmatum ‘Bihou’ will grow up to 9 feet in height and has green leaves in the spring, which turn yellow in the summer and crimson/yellow with orange specks in the fall.
  • Acer palmatum ‘Koto No Ito’ grows up to 10 feet high and has emerald green leaves in the spring an summer, and yellow leaves in the fall.
  • Acer palmatum ‘Ojishi’ grows to a height of 5 feet, and has crinkled green leaves in the spring and summer, with scarlet red crinkled leaves in the fall.
  • Acer palmatum dissectum ‘Spring Delight’ grows to 8 feet in height, has green leaves (edged in red) in the spring, which change to green in the summer and orange in the autumn.
  • Acer palmatum ‘Tsuma Gaki’ can grow to 6 feet high, and its leaves are pink-green in the spring, green in the summer and orange/red in the fall.
  • Acer palmatum dissectum ‘Waterfall’ will grow to 8 feet high, has green leaves in the spring and summer, with mixed fall colours of red/orange/yellow.

We are not permitted to recommend individual nurseries where one might obtain particular plants. However, Landscape Ontario’s Japanese Maples  provides information on different varieties that are available, including the height. And if you click on the Landscape Ontario link to “Find a company” –  click on the link for garden centres and contact information for many nurseries (in your area) will be provided. Many of these have website – I’d suggest you check them out.

Finally, by doing a quick “google” search on “Japanese maple nursery Ontario” or “Japanese maple nursery Canada” – you will see that a number of nurseries pop up. Again, check out their websites, which list many different types of Japanese maples – and often include photos and detailed descriptions.  You can  call one of these experts to ask for a couple of recommendations as to the best variety for your needs, or to see if they know of a nursery in your area that carries the type of tree you decide upon.

For general information about growing Japanese maples, see Growing Japanese maples: A Toronto master gardeners guide.

I hope you find the perfect tree for your garden!