I have a cousin who collects Japanese maples. He often gifts me his 'scratch-n-dent' trees that are either misshapen, too small, or maybe he just has too many of a particular cultivar. I find them to be easy-care trees in the Pacific NW, and don't give them any particular babying. Here are some of my favs:
As a grammy, I am taken with the name of this one. I find it varies in coloration from year to year, not sure why. This photo was in spring shortly after I planted it. This year, the leaves were much more plain-jane, without the skeletal markings. It also gets very distinctive seeds that hang on for quite some time (2nd photo).
This one is fairly standard, stays compact, and is easy to prune to an open small tree.
This was a real pretty bright green maple, but unfortunately had a bad split in the trunk and died. I would try it again.
Butterfly in the fall. I have this planted amid mature Douglas firs and it really shines against the dark green.
Share your photos and experiences!
