The International Code of Nomenclature for Cultivated Plants divides Japanese maple cultivars with valid names into 7 groups. Acer palmatum 'Sharp's Pygmy' appears in Group 6: Dwarf, Bonsai, and Penjing.
Normally the trees in this group do not exceed 1 meter in height... and 'Sharp's Pygmy' usually conforms to this description. I have seen two examples, both planted in-ground, that exceeded that height by about 6-8 inches.
This tree was "discovered" at Sharps Nursery in Sandy, Oregon in the 1980's. Since its introduction to the trade it has become an exceptionally popular dwarf Japanese maple.
It has short internodes, is densely foliaged and generally grows as wide as high. It has small, 5-lobed palmate leaves that exhibit a good, somewhat dark green color. In fall the leaves usually turn deep orange to scarlet.
'Sharp's Pygmy' makes an excellent bonsai selection... naturally possessing qualities the bonsai artist would have to "cultivate" in another hybrid or cultivar.
Whether planted in-ground or grown in a container it should be located in the garden close to a sitting area, so its many qualities can be observed close up.
J.D. Vertrees and James Gregory describe it as "a truly remarkable dwarf."

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