Acer pictum 'Usugumo'

This is such a beautiful maple. The leaves are speckled with white and have been compared to the wings of a bat.

P.S.Keith, can't seem to get my comments to work.

2011

I haven't had any problem growing mine. It is on my deck, which sits about 15' off the ground and gets filtered light. It likes to be on the dry side and I have mine in pine bark/compost about equal parts in a clay pot. The first year I had it, I kept it too moist and it hardly grew any, but now it is growing almost too fast. In 2011 I am really beginning to wonder how I am going to keep this maple containerized. It quickly outgrows its pots, I even pruned it back this year. So far I have not root pruned (scared), but wonder about putting it in the ground.

Acer palmatum 'Peaches and Cream'

This didn't look like much in 08 when this picture was taken. It looked much better in 09.

Acer japonicum 'Otaki'

This one did not come back in 09, I don't know why. I have a new one planted there now and hopefully it will. In 2011 the new one is growing vigorously, has a nice shape.

Acer palmatum 'Osakazuki'

This has the best fall color of any tree I think I have ever seen. It is fluorescent red. Seed set in 2011.

Acer palmatum 'Orangeola'

Not much more than a twig. It really doesn't look like much more than a reddish dissectum. Very slow, some dieback in 2011. Maybe should site in different location, more sun. In fall 2011, I dug it and put it in a container, hoping to get it stronger.

Acer palmatum 'Murasaki Kiohime'

This is another nice dwarf that is supposed to be really hardy. Put into ground in 2010 and in 2011 no winter damage and really took off with growth.

2011

Acer palmatum 'Moonfire'

2005 (Byles) died. Bought another 2006 and although it is really scraggly-looking, seems to be okay. It was damaged by the 07 freeze, but seems okay. It needs to be pruned, but I have been hesitant to do so until it seems healthier. In 2011 amazing how much water this one has withstood. Still spindly, but healthy.

Acer palmatum 'Mikawa Yatsubusa'

2011

2008 (Topiary)I bought this because it's supposed to be a very hardy dwarf. I haven't gotten the nerve to put it out yet. It looks so good in a container. In ground 2010 and came through the winter fine.

Acer palmatum 'Kinran'

2011

2006 (Ebay?) This was a tiny stick, but it grew quickly and was planted out this summer (2009). I am hoping it will be as vigorous in the ground as in a pot, I would really miss it. It is rated zone 5. Love this maple. Have it growing on a raised bed right outside my front door.

Acer palmatum 'Kiohime'

2006 (Miyama) I have so many pictures of this one it's ridiculous. When I ordered it the grower said it was a 9 year old tree, so I was psyched. When it arrived, whoever packed it had just thrown it in a box, no packing or anything and about 1/3 of the limbs were broken off, some large. What a waste of a beautiful little tree. Still, it has grown like a weed and looks great. Had the best fall color this year that I've had. Transplanted fall 2010 and in 2011 has grown tremendously, doubled in size even after it was eaten in spring after I had pruned it severely over the winter.

Acer palmatum 'Kashima'

1998 (Forest Farm) One of my first. Not really outstanding at first, but is developing into an impressive speciment. I thought I lost it a couple years ago when we had a really late freeze...it was completely leafed out, but by the end of the year, it looked as good as always. I had to do some major surgery with two crossing branches in the center of it, but you'd never know it. It is starting to grow horizontally now, which it is supposed to do. In 2011 with record rainfall, it has almost doubled in size.

Acer palmatum 'Inabe Shidare'

2003 Not sure where I got this, probably Greenview. One of my favorites. It has been rock hardy, trouble free. The first place I planted it got too much sun, so I moved it and it is gorgeous every year. This picture is the fall color, but it holds its red color pretty well throughout the season. In 2011 continues to grow larger and more sculptural.

Acer palmatum 'Ibo Nishiki'

2006 (Ebay) This is known for its rough bark. Unfortunately, it takes years before it begins to show the "warty" bark. I plan to put it in the ground next year. It is really vigorous and actually grows too fast in a container. Other than the bark, it just looks like any old maple, nothing special. In ground 2010 and no problems 2011. Pruned severely (2011) to try to display the bark, which is beginning to look corky and rough.

Acer palmatum 'Hogyoku'

2006 (Ebay) Very slow growing, leaves are waxy, thick and pretty all year long. Rated zone 5 if I ever have the nerve to put it out. The fall color in 09 was outstanding, which it is known for (supposed to be a pumpkin orange). Put into the ground in 2010 and lived through winter fine. Has made substantial growth (much happier in ground), but was almost destroyed by rabbits who ate 1/2 the bark on the lower half as well as tearing off a lower branch and digging deeply around the roots. Hopefully, it will be okay. Hasn't shown any negative effects as far as leaf wilt, etc. I put compost around the base and pieces of rock, plus a chicken-wire cage around the trunk.

Acer palmatum 'Higasayama'

Strange maple. When it leafs out in the spring, it's really variegated (see photo of old leaves), then the new growth is green. The old growth does stay variegated, but the result is it looks kind of like there is something wrong with it. It seems easy, though, and vigorous.

Acer palmatum 'Goshiki Kotohime'

This is the second one of these I've had (2008 Forest Farm). The first one, I think I let it get too cold or dry or something. It's a shame, it looked nice. The second one is smaller. Supposed to be variegated, but I haven't seen it. Still, it is a dwarf and will do well in a pot, seems pretty easy and in time will get some size and look more like a tree.

Acer palmatum ' EverRed'

This was three times larger, upright growing. Another possible victim of Verticillian wilt. The top 2/3 died and I cut it off. It seems to be growing well, since that was a couple years ago and it has shown no other signs of wilt. In 2011 another major branch died, so its lifespan is questionable.

Acer palmatum 'Ever Autumn'

2011

Very cool, well-shaped maple. Dark green leaves with a nice luster. Seems really hardy and tough, I think I'll like it a lot. In 2011 has grown like a weed. Will need some shaping this winter.

Acer palmatum 'Eagle's Claw'

2011

Was in container until 2009. In 2011 looks good, but not really fast.

Acer palmatum 'Crimson Carol'

Acer palmatum 'Beni Otake

2006 (Greenview) Bought the first in 05 and loved it so much I got another. The original seemed to be afflicted with Verticillian wilt, died very suddenly with branch dieback (2008)after being very healthy for years. The second one is looking good.

Acer japonicum 'Otaki'

2009 (Enchanted Gardens) The first one died, I have no idea why. It looked great all summer. New is planted in the same location. If it dies, it's the site, probably too dry (under two shagbark hickories).
The fall picture is of the 08 that died.

Acer japonicum 'Aconitifolium'

2009 (Enchanted Gardens) This is my fourth try with this one. First one was fine, then I moved it and it died in winter. Second and third seemed to get Verticillium wilt, dieback of branches. The one I have now seems very healthy, but is planted where I lost an A. palm. Shishigashira this spring. I think the Shishigashira died from too much moisture in heavy soil. 2009 set record rainfall.

Acer japonicum 'Green Cascade'

2006 (Byles)This is another great japonicum. It just can't grow fast enough for me. Glenn Herold has one a few years older than mine and it is outstanding.

Acer japonicum 'Attaryi'

2008 (Enchanted Gardens)This is going to be a beautiful tree. The fall colors are fantastic. This picture is the first year in ground.

Acer griseum

2006 (Hoerr Nursery)

Acer circinatum 'Sunny Sister'

2007 (Forest Farm) Planted in more sun than recommended, but seems to be doing fine. Gets stronger each year in ground.