Although most small trees are grown for their fleeting flowers, Japanese maples are grown for the sheer beauty of their leaves, which come in a variety of shapes and colors.
These are relatively easy trees to grow. Of the 80 or so varieties grown in this country, those with red leaves are among the most prized, for in an otherwise green landscape they make a stunning accent. Their green-leafed counterparts can be just as striking, and whether green or red, the leaf forms of these Asian beauties are what really grab your attention.
One look at the leaf of a Japanese maple and you can see how the tree got its botanical name, Acer palmatum, which means "resembling a hand." Less common, but even more interesting, are the thread-leaf varieties, whose leaves have an almost fernlike appearance. The most readily available Japanese maples come in two forms: upright growers and weepers. The uprights tend to reach heights and spans of 15 to 30 feet at maturity, while the even slower-growing weepers, which look more like shrubs than trees, may take 20 years to reach a height of only five feet.
Japanese maples are hardy to at least minus 10 degrees Fahrenheit, and they thrive in moist but well-drained, slightly acidic soil. The red varieties need ample sunlight to develop their best color, but too much sun can cause colors to fade. The green ones can take some morning sun, but they do best when planted in the shade.
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