Not only does this Japanese Maple boast brilliant foliage that changes colors with the seasons, but its bark, branches, and stems also display bold tones that keep the tree lovely year-round. Slightly cascading and very well-branched, this slow grower thrives in partial to nearly full shade, standing out magnificently as a specimen in garden or container.
In spring, the intricately veined, deeply lobed leaves unfurl a bright shade of lime-green, highlighted with white and pink. The pink turns reddish as the seasons progress and remains in summer, when the rest of the leaf turns a glossy deep green. And in autumn, the entire tree seems to blaze with orange and red. It is a lovely show, ever-changing and made more beautiful by the "shimmying" effect of the pendant leaves when a breeze blows through the garden.
But the foliage shares the spotlight with the trunk of this tree, which is a bright shade of light green, as are the twigs. Their high gloss and even color give them a lacquered look that is really remarkable. And the stems from which each leaf dangles are a neon-bright coral-red, matching the shade of red at the tips of the foliage. Absolutely stunning!
'Elmwoodie' reaches about 8 to 10 feet tall and 6 to 8 feet wide over time. It needs plenty of shade, but a bit of sun brings out the strongest colors. Find a place of honor for it in your landscape for this season, and it will continue to delight for many decades to come. Zones 5-8.
