ACER continued
last updated 10/12/2017


Acer palmatum 'Bonfire'
This is a great plant when you want something that epitomises the best features of the classical Japanese maple in a simple and natural manner. Thus it has smaller palmate leaves that are green through the summer. In habit it is naturally free branching, forming an elegant vase-shaped tree that comes alive in autumn with fiery foliage which change with the season through the full spectrum of bonfire colours.
See it in our Maple Glade.

ACER palmatum 'Bonnie Bergman'
An Australian cultivar almost unknown in Europe, which is a shame because I think it is gorgeous. A distinct colour, but oh so difficult to describe. More purple than green, the larger leaves are a wonderful subtle shade, placing it towards the softer more peachy end of purple and a lovely habit, not stiffly erect yet not floppy and untidy, forming as it does a broad headed small tree. 4m
See it in our Maple Glade.

ACER palmatum 'Bultinck'
This pretty plant was given to us by the respected late Belgian nurseryman as a seedling he noticed in a block of rootstocks. The colours are ever-changing and vary enormously with light levels, but it is most attractive, falling in the 'Kasagyama' group with deeply divided leaves and conspicuous veining. Not currently in production.

ACER palmatum 'Burgundy Lace' 
Attractive in habit and leaf, this one stands out whatever the season. It has deeply divided, lacy purple leaves (though not a dissectum) which turn red in autumn. Developing a broad, rounded canopy about as wide as it is high. 4m.
See it in our Maple Glade.

ACER palmatum 'Butterfly' 
Upright densely branched shrub. The leaves are a distinct grey green with broad silvery white margin. Unusual with its lack of pink. Superb scarlet autumn colour. Excellent garden plant, particularly where space is precious. Best in partial shade, so not currently in production as it doesn't much like our exposed site. 3m

ACER palmatum 'Calico'
We obtained this charming cultivar from Australia. Essentially vivid orange in spring, like 'Katsura'. This can either fade to green or richen to burnished copper through the summer, according to light levels. It doesn't grow quite so large, so fantastic therefore for smaller gardens.

ACER palmatum 'Chishio Improved' 
See Acer palmatum 'Shin chishio'

ACER palmatum 'Chitose yama' 
The beauty of this maple comes from its subtlety; it is not as "obvious" as many. The leaf colour seems to be always changing; starting bright crimson later becoming purplish red, before wonderful scarlet autumn colour. Deeply divided, serrated leaves and broad arching habit. 2-3m.
See it in our Lower Maple Glade.

ACER palmatum 'Coonara Pygmy' 
This dwarf Australian cultivar is highly sought after, particularly by bonsai collectors. It forms a delightful dense rounded mound and is surprisingly vigorous as a young plant. Fresh green foliage becomes fiery orange in autumn. 1-2m

ACER palmatum 'Coral Pink' 
This lovely form was selected in the Kalmthout Arboretum, Belgium in 1965. However, it was not named until 1985. This gives an idea of the work that needs to be put into "new introductions"! A small upright shrub, the new leaves are a striking coral pink, turning to a yellow-green in summer. It prefers a sheltered site out of full sun, so is not currently in production. 1.5m

ACER palmatum 'Corallinum'
This outstanding and highly sought after cultivar originated at Hillier's some 100 years ago. It is incredible that it is still so rare. The new scarlet-pink leaves are almost fluorescent. As with others in this group, they fade to reddish green with traces of pink according to light levels. Often described as a dwarf, the rate of growth will be very much determined by growing conditions. A slow twiggy plant, so ideal in a pot where it can remain quite tiny, but given more ideal conditions in the open ground 2-3m are certainly possible.

ACER palmatum 'Crimson Carol'
Another more recent introduction that has rapidly become a favourite. Young growth is quite red, and it is always almost a surprise when it matures to green. Japanese maples typically do two flushes of growth in a season, and the second flush can be most attractive when colourful (in the case purple) young growth is highlighted against the green mature foliage. The leaves are larger and an attractive shape with each lobe being incised too, whilst its overall habit is to develop quite a broad canopy.
See it in our Lower Maple Glade.

ACER palmatum 'Crimson Prince'
Essentially a classic purple palmatum of upright habit, I have seen this one described as an improvement on 'Bloodgood', but for me, that's oversimplifying it because really, they are quite different. 'Crimson Prince' has slightly larger leaves, but they are a warmer, redder shade of purple by comparison with the harsh dark purple of 'Bloodgood'. It has equally good red autumn colours.
See it in our Maple Glade.

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