One of the best Japanese Maples for northern and cool-climate gardens, 'Tsuma-beni' has become renowned for its usual variegation. From spring through early summer, the tip of each leaf is drenched in bold purple-red, like painted fingernails. Hence the nickname Red Nail Maple, and the great excitement about the availability of this delightfully rounded, well-branched A. palmatum cultivar.
The foliage on this tree is broad, each leaf eventually acquiring 7 widely-spaced, long and tapered lobes. They are quite thin and flexible, creating a slightly weeping look that adds to their drama. Give this tree plenty of shade in moderate and warm climates to protect the leaf substance.
The foliage turns a deep glossy green for summer, but after only a few weeks begins acquiring it autumn hues. When the cold weather of fall arrives, the leaves burnish rich shades of orange and red, for an absolutely spectacular look. Slowly growing into a pleasingly rounded form, this tree reaches about 6 to 10 feet high and 4 to 6 feet wide after a decade's growth. Zones 5-8.
