Ambleside Gardens & Nursery, Hillsborough, NJ, Rare Plants, Japanese Maples, Central Jersey Garden Centers

Our Favorites

JAPANESE MAPLES

Late winter glory of the Coral Bark Japanese Maple

(Acer palmatum Sango Kaku)

_____________________

Fall color of the Lion's Head Japanese Maple

(Acer palmatum 'Shishigashira')

New spring growth of Moonrise Fullmoon Maple

(Acer shirasawanum 'Moonrise')

For hundreds of years, gardeners have treasured and admired Japanese Maples. Prized for the seemingly endless variety of growth habits, Japanese Maples offer us some of the most beautiful plants in the world. With foliage varying from delicate lacy leaves, to bold star-shaped purple leaves, to variegated leaves blending greens, pinks, and white, and with branching patterns that show off fantastic winter silhouettes, Japanese Maples compliment any landscape.

All Japanese Maples are fairly easy to grow--requiring well-drained soils. They are cold hardy in our area but will perform better if planted in locations not directly exposed to cold winter winds. Red leaved varieties should be planted in sunny locations to draw out the best color--at the same time, if these can be planted in locations receiving some afternoon shade and protection from the hot afternoon summer sun, the red color will not fade and wash out as much. Variegated varieties should be planted in locations that are also shaded during the afternoon. Green leaved varieties will grow fine in full sun.

Remember that all Japanese Maples can suffer from leaf scorch when summer temperatures approach 100 degrees. Some afternoon shade helps to prevent this as does adequate water supplies during dry spells.

Ambleside expects to carry over 100 varieties of Japanese Maples this year including the ever popular Bloodgood Red Maple (Acer palmatum 'Bloodgood') as well as the following lesser known varieties-

Acer palmatum Koto no Ito

Acer palmatum 'Koto no Ito' Koto no Ito Japanese Maple. Striking green Japanese Maple with long, lacy narrow leaves that present a wonderful airy appearance. Upright grower to around 20 feet with a spread to 15 feet. Great yellow autumn color. Japanese name translated means 'harp strings.' Shown here during early

spring with both new leaves and flowers.

_______________________________

Acer palmatum Higasayama

Acer palmatum 'Higasayama' Higasayama Japanese Maple. Unusual tree with a unique variegated pattern. Leaves are green with even white margins that start pink as leaves emerge in the spring. The red color along the margins returns in the fall. Best planted with protection from afternoon sun. Upright grower to about 20 feet with a spread of about 15 feet. Pictured above with spring foliage.

_____________________________________________

Acer palmatum Shigitatsu-sawa

Acer palmatum 'Shigitatsu-sawa' Shigitatsu sawa Japanese Maple. Very unusual green veined leaves. Smaller growing than most Japanese Maples with a mature height of about 15 feet and a width of about 10', this tree should also be planted in locations shaded from hot afternoon sun.

_______________________

Acer palmatum Orido nishiki

Acer palmatum 'Orido Nishiki' Orido Nishiki Japanese Maple. Striking variegated new leaves of pink, white, and green. By summer, the pink color slowly changes to white. Leaf variegation is best when this tree is grown in a location with afternoon shade. Upright grower to about 20 feet with a spread of about 15 feet.

__________________________________________

Acer palmatum 'Aka kawa hime' Aka kawa hime Japanese Maple. Translated name is "small red bark." Dwarf form of the popular Coral Bark maple (Acer palmatum Sango Kaku) retaining all of the same characteristics--yellow green summer foliage giving into brilliant gold autumn foliage followed by striking red stems during the winter months. Grows to about 8', and is suited to smaller gardens. SOLD OUT

Acer palmatum 'Aka shigitatsu sawa' Shigitatsu sawa Japanese Maple. Red foliage with prominent dark green veins. Color variegation persists into summer when planted in shaded locations. Ancient Japanese translation is "red snipes over a winter marsh!".

This is a small spreading tree growing to about 15 feet with an equal width.

Acer palmatum 'Akane' Akane Japanese Maple. Compact grower to about 10'. Spring leaves start orange gold with pink tinge, become yellow and then light green before turning yellow orange again in fall. SOLD OUT

Acer palmatum 'Alpenweiss' Alpenweiss Japanese Maple. Small tree or large shrub growing to about 10' with striking variegations of pink and white over light green leaves.

Variegation is most prominent during the spring and will continue into summer when planted with afternoon shade.

Spring growth of Acer palmatum 'Alpenweiss'

_____________________________________

Acer palmatum 'Amber Ghost' Amber Ghost Japanese Maple. One of the 'Ghost' series of Japanese Maples developed by Bucholtz & Bucholtz Nursery. Great spring foliage of amber and pink. Best in afternoon shade.

Acer palmatum 'Amber Ghost' in early spring

Acer palmatum 'Aoba jo' in late spring

Acer palmatum 'Aoba jo' Aoba jo Japanese Maple. Compact, green leaved dwarf form growing to about 5' in height with an equal width. Yellow fall color with red tinge. Good subject for bonsai.

Acer palmatum 'Aocha nishiki' Aocha nishiki Japanese Maple. Translated name means

"yellow green brocade." Green leaved upright grower with yellow-green stems and occasional variegation of lighter yellow green patterns on the leaves. Grows to about 15'.

Acer palmatum 'Arakawa' Arakawa or Rough Bark Japanese Maple. Upright grower developing rough corklike bark with age. Yellow fall color. Vigorous, green leaved variety growing to about 25' with width to about 15'. SOLD OUT

Acer palmatum 'Aratama' Aratama Japanese Maple. Compact shrub form with red spring foliage slowly giving into purple-green tones in summer. Grows to about 6' in height with a width of about 4'. Sometimes available in topgraft form creating a small tree. Name translated means "uncut gem."

Acer palmatum 'Aratama with spring foliage

_____________________________________

Acer palmatum 'Ariadne' Ariadne Japanese Maple. Rounded shrub or small tree to about 10' in height. Coarsely toothed leaves open with green veins against light orange red to pink background. Needs afternoon shade.

Acer palmatum 'Ariadne' in late spring

Acer palmatum 'Atrolineare' in late spring

Acer palmatum 'Atrolineare' Atrolinear or Narrow leaved Japanese Maple. Upright grower with beautiful thin lacy red foliage becoming greener in summer. Best with afternoon shade. Grows to about 15' with width of about 8'.

Acer palmatum 'Beni hime' Beni hime Japanese Maple. Dwarf grower rarely reaching more than 4' both in width and in height. Spring foliage is red becoming greener during summer. Translated name is "red dwarf." Great plant for bonsai. SOLD OUT

Acer palmatum 'Beni Hime'

during late spring

___________________

Acer palmatum 'Beni komachi' Beni Komachi Japanese Maple. Large shrub or small rounded tree growing to about 8'. Tiny red leaves become greener in summer and red again in the fall. Name translates to 'beautiful red haired little girl'. Needs afternoon shade.

Acer palmatum 'Beni Otake' Beni Otake Japanese Maple. Translated name means "Big Red Bamboo". Upright grower to about 25 feet with narrow red leaves. Distinctive airy appearance.

Acer palmatum 'Beni schichihenge' Beni Schichihenge Japanese Maple. Upright grower with orange-pink and white variegation against green leaves. Best with afternoon shade. Name translates to "red and changeful". Upright grower to about 15' with width of about 6'-8'.

Acer palmatum 'Beni shi en' Beni Shi En Japanese Maple. Narrow spring red leaves become purple during summer, becoming greener with lighter green striations. Fall color is yellow to gold. Translated name is "red smoke". Upright grower to about 15'.

Acer palmatum 'Bihou' Bihou Japanese Maple. Unusual pale yellow orange colored bark and stems make this maple a great compliment to the well-known Coral Bark Maple. Upright grower with green leaves changing to yellow in the fall. SOLD OUT

Acer palmatum 'Burgundy Lace' Burgundy Lace Japanese Maple. Upright grower to about 20' with leaves more finely cut than those of the familiar Bloodgood Maple. Deep burgundy color in spring becoming greener during summer.

Acer palmatum 'Butterfly' Butterfly Japanese Maple. Small twiggy tree with dainty variegated green and white leaves. Best planted with afternoon shade. Distinctly upright grower to about 15' with a width of about 6'-8'. White markings of summer are pink during both spring and fall.

Acer palmatum 'Coonara Pygmy' Coonara Pygmy Japanese Maple. Wonderful dwarf variety growing to about 5' in both height and width. Small, light green leaves turn pink and yellow in the fall.

Acer palmatum 'Coralinum' Coralinum Japanese Maple. Shrub form growing to about 8

feet tall with an equal width. Brilliant shrimp pink foliage in the spring becomes greener during the summer months.

Acer palmatum 'Coralinum'

with new spring growth

__________________

Acer palmatum 'Fireglow' Fireglow Japanese Maple. A reliable cultivar very similar to

the Bloodgood Japanese Maple but having less deeply cut leaves and not growing as tall or wide.

Acer palmatum 'Higasayama' Higasayama Japanese Maple SEE DESCRIPTION AT TOP OF THIS PAGE

Acer palmatum 'Hogyoku' Hogyoku Japanese Maple. An unusual variety growing to about 15-20' with unique pumpkin orange fall color. The name 'hogyoku' translates to 'uncut gem.'

Acer palmatum 'Hubb's Red Willow' Hubb's Red Willow Japanese Maple. A slender upright grower with narrow red leaves. Becoming broader with age, should reach about 15.' SOLD OUT

Acer palmatum 'Hupp's Dwarf' Hupp's Dwarf Japanese Maple. A compact, upright growing dwarf with a habit similar to that of Kotohime Japanese Maple. Dense grower suitable for bonsai.

Acer palmatum 'Ijima Sunago' Ijima Sunago Japanese Maple. Large upright grower to about 25 feet with spring red leaves becoming purplish brown during the summer months with small irregular green spots (Sunago translates to 'dusted'). Good fall color of yellow, orange, and red.

Acer palmatum 'Inazuma' Inazuma Japanese Maple. A vigorous upright grower eventually becoming 25 to 30 feet tall. Red spring leaves become greenish purple in the summer with the red returning in the fall. Inazuma translates to 'the thunderer.'

Acer palmatum 'Japanese Sunrise' Japanese Sunrise Maple. Possibly a chance seedling from Coral Bark Maple, Japanese Sunrise has the same red color on the exposed sides of the stems with the sheltered side being yellow orange. Grows to about 20 feet, and has golden yellow fall color like the Coral Bark Maple.

Acer palmatum 'Kamagata' Kamagata Japanese Maple. Compact grower to about 8 feet with equal spread. Small green leaves with red tinge in spring turn red and yellow orange in fall. Usually grown as a shrub, but sometimes found as a topgraft creating a small tree.

Acer palmatum 'Kandy Kitchen' Kandy Kitchen Japanese Maple. Originating as a witches broom, Kandy Kitchen grows into a rounded dwarf shrub about 6 feet in both height and width. Dark red leaves set off the pinkish color of new shoots throughout the season. SOLD OUT

Acer palmatum 'Katsura' Katsura Japanese Maple. An older cultivar widely known for its

distinct yellow orange color in the spring. As the season progresses, the color becomes a yellow green; in the fall the yellow orange returns. Upright growing to about 15', Katsura is best with protection from hot afternoon sun. SOLD OUT

Acer palmatum 'Kihachijo' Kihachijo Japanese Maple. Rounded growing to about 15', this maple has distinctive serrated leaves with a green bark marked with white striations. Fall color is a distinct red and orange.

Acer palmatum 'Kinran' Kinran Japanese Maple. Rounded grower to about 12 feet with deeply divided leaves that give an open and lacy appearance. Red in spring, greenish in the summer with striking autumn color of gold and crimson. Kinran translates to mean 'woven with golden strings.'

Acer palmatum 'Kinran' in late spring

_________________________________

Acer palmatum 'Kiyohime' Kiyohime Japanese Maple. Dwarf form growing to about 6 feet, and suitable for bonsai. Horizontal branching habit with small leaves opening red and turning to green. Usually a low growing bush form, Kiyohime is also topgrafted to create the small tree.

Acer palmatum 'Kiyohime' in late spring

_______________________________

Acer palmatum 'Kotohime' Kotohime Japanese Maple. Diminutive cultivar--a natural bonsai. Stubby, upright grower to about 6'. Red spring foliage becoming green during summer, and orange red in fall. Among the earliest of the Japanese Maple to push foliage in the spring. Name translates to 'little harp.'

Acer palmatum 'Koto no ito' Koto no ito Japanese Maple SEE DESCRIPTION AT TOP OF THIS PAGE

Acer palmatum 'Kurui jishi' Kurui Jishi Japanese Maple Translated name means 'confused lion!' Small leaves rolled inward similar to Okushimo Japanese Maple, though smaller in size. Yellow fall color. Great bonsai subject

Acer palmatum 'Kurui jishi'

Acer palmatum 'Mikawa yatsubusa'

Acer palmatum 'Mikawa yatsubusa' Mikawa Yatsubusa Japanese Maple. Wonderful

irregular and twisted growth habit with small leaves closely spaced in shingle-like patterns. A natural bonsai!

Acer palmatum 'Mikazuki' Mikazuki Japanese Maple

Acer palmatum 'Nishiki gawa' Nishiki Gawa or Pine Bark Japanese Maple. Upright grower to about 20' with rough bark likened to that of the Japanese Black Pine. Yellow fall foliage.

Acer palmatum ' Nuresagi' Nuresagi Japanese Maple. Japanese name translates to 'Wet Heron.' Vigorous upright red leaved variety growing to about 20 feet with a narrower habit than that of Bloodgood.

Acer palmatum 'Ogon Sarasa' Ogon Sarasa Japanese Maple. Upright grower to about 20 feet with interesting orange red leaves with green veins. Summer color becomes bronze green with orange red returning in the fall. Translated name is "Gold Calico Cloth".

Acer palmatum 'Okushimo' Okushimo Japanese Maple. Upright tree with green leaves curled in tube like fashion. Yellow fall color. Narrow, upright habit to about 20-25 feet.

Acer palmatum 'Omureyama' Omureyama Japanese Maple. Small tree growing to about 20 feet with an equal width. With age, branches start to weep down. Fall color is gold and red.

Acer palmatum 'Orange Dream' Orange Dream Japanese Maple. Upright grower with wonderful yellow orange new leaves slowly fading to a bright lime green color by early summer. Spring colors return in the fall. Growing to about 12-15 feet, Orange Dream is best with protection from hot afternoon sun.

Acer palmatum 'Orido Nishiki' Orido Nishiki Japanese Maple SEE DESCRIPTION AT TOP OF THIS PAGE

Acer palmatum 'Osakazuki' Osakazuki Japanese Maple. Upright grower with green leaves becoming fiery scarlet in fall. Among the best of the green Japanese Maples for autumn color. Vigouous grower to about 25 feet.

Acer palmatum 'Peaches and Cream' Peaches and Cream Japanese Maple. Compact growing shrub or small tree with beautiful variegations of pink, cream, and green. Best planted with protection from hot afternoon sun.

Acer palmatum 'Peaches & Cream'

with new spring growth

_____________________

Acer palmatum 'Purple Ghost' Purple Ghost Japanse Maple. One of the "Ghost" familyof Japanese Maples newly introduced by Buchholz Nursery in Oregon. Reticulated leaves with dark purple green veins over red leaves create an almost translucent effect. Best in afternoon shade.

Acer palmatum 'Red Emperor' Red Emperor Japanese Maple. Vigorous upright grower very similar to the popular Bloodgood Maple with new leaves emerging 2 weeks later.

Acer palmatum 'Red Pygmy' Red Pygmy Japanese Maple. Compact growing narrow-leaved maple to about 12'-15'. Red leaves becoming greener during summer and then changing to yellow in fall.

Acer palmatum 'Red Pygmy

____________________

Acer palmatum 'Ryusen' Ryusen Japanese Maple

Acer palmatum 'Ryuzu' Ryuzu Japanese Maple SOLD OUT

Acer palmatum 'Sagara Nishiki' Sagara Nishiki Japanese Maple

Acer palmatum 'Sango Kaku' Sango Kaku or Coral Bark Japanese Maple. Small tree with coral colored bark. Grows to about 15-20 feet in somewhat of a vase shape. Green leaves turn golden in fall--fabulous red bark during winter. SEE PHOTO AT TOP OF THIS PAGE

Acer palmatum 'Scolopendrifolium' Strap leaved Japanese Maple Upright growing green leaved variety with narrow leaves and beautiful branching structures. Upright habit to about 20 feet; yellow fall color.

Acer palmatum 'Seiryu' Seiryu Japanese Maple. Unique upright grower with dissected leaves. Lacy green leaves become red and yellow orange in the fall. Translated name is "Blue Green Dragon". Open and airy growth habit to about 20 in both height and width.

Seiryu Japanese Maple in fall color

_____________________________

Acer palmatum 'Shaina' Shaina Japanese Maple. Dwarf form, a witches' broom (or sport) of Bloodgood. Compact shape with good color growing to about 8 feet in both height and width.

Acer palmatum 'Sharp's Pygmy' Sharp's Pygmy Japanese Maple. Small rounded shrub with tiny green leaves becoming orange in fall--suitable as a bonsai subject.

Acer palmatum 'Shidiva Gold' Shidiva Gold Japanese Maple.

Acer palmatum 'Shigure Bato' Shigure Bato Japanese Maple

Acer palmatum 'Shin deshojo' Shin deshojo Japanese Maple

Acer palmatum 'Shirazz' Shirazz Japanase Maple SOLD OUT

Acer palmatum 'Shishigashira' Shishigashira Japanese Maple .The famous "Lion's Head" Maple. Stiffly

upright branching habit with green

stems. Crinkly green leaves turn gold in autumn. One of the most famous of the Japanese Maples as this has been cultivated in Japan for many years. A tree for all seasons--

unusual and interesting foliage with a texture like crepe paper, beauti-

ful autumn gold color, and branch

structures that create striking winter

silhouettes.

Acer palmatum 'Skeeter's Broom' Skeeter's Broom Japanese Maple

Acer palmatum 'Sumi nagashi' Sumi nagashi Japanese Maple

Acer palmatum 'Tiger Rose' Tiger Rose Japanese Maple. Rounded shrub form growing to about 10' with an equal width. Branches will droop down with age. Best grown in areas protected from hot afternoon sun. SOLD OUT

Acer palmatum 'Tiger Rose'

Acer palmatum 'Trompenburg' Trompenburg Japanese Maple. Vigorous upright grower with red leaves. Unusual leaves with lobes rolled inward almost forming tubes.

Acer palmatum 'Trompenburg'

Acer palmatum 'Tsuma gaki' in late spring

Acer palmatum 'Tsuma gaki' Tsuma gaki Japanese Maple. Rounded shrub form growing to about 10 feet. New growth with tips of leaves colored in brilliant red--like painted fingernails.

Acer palmatum 'Twombley's Red Sentinel' Red Sentinel Japanese Maple. Newer red

leaved variety with distinctive columnar habit. Grows to about 12-15 feet with a width or around 6 feet.

Acer palmatum 'Ueno Yama' Ueno Yama Japanese Maple. Upright variety with unique orange new foliage becoming green during the year. SOLD OUT

Acer palmatum 'Ukigumo' Ukigumo or Floating Cloud Japanese Maple. Green leaved variety with white variegation. Plant in shaded location.

Acer palmatum Ukigumo

__________________

Acer palmatum 'Umegae' Umegae Japanese Maple

Acer palmatum 'Wou Nishiki' Wou Nishiki Japanese Maple. Upright grower with small green eaves tinged with red along the magins. Fall color of red and orange.

Acer palmatum 'Yuri hime' Yuri hime Japanese Maple SOLD OUT

FULLMOON MAPLES

ACER JAPONICUM & ACER SHIRASAWANUM

Acer japonicum 'Aconitifolium' Fernleaf Fullmoon Japanese Maple. Small spreading tree with unusual dissected green leaves and fabulous fall colors or reds, yellows, and oranges.

Acer japonicum 'Oisami' Full Moon Japanese Maple. Larger growing tree with large olive green leaves and orange red fall color.

Acer shirasawanum 'Aureum' Golden Full Moon Japanese Maple. Smaller tree to about 15' with yellow green leaves. Needs protection from hot afternoon sun. Great for a splash of color in shady areas. SOLD OUT

Acer shirasawanum 'Autumn Moon' Autumn Moon Full Moon Japanese Maple. Spreading tree with yellow foliage tinged with pink. Plant in location protected from hot

afternoon sun to avoid leaf scorch. SOLD OUT

Acer shirasawanum Autumn Moon with spring foliage

______________________________________

Acer shirasawanum 'Moonrise' Moonrise Full Moon Japanese Maple. Newly patented variety with chartreuse leaves topped with carmine new growth. Best planted with afternoon shade to avoid summer leaf scorch.

Acer shirasawanum 'Palmatifolium' Palmate-leaved Full Moon Japanese Maple. Upright grower with green leaves and beautiful fall foliage of reds, yellows, and oranges.

----------------------------------------

WEEPING JAPANESE MAPLES

Acer palmatum dissectum

Ambleside also carries different varieties of the popular dissectums--Weeping Japanese Red Maples. Of these varieties, we expect to have Red Dragon, Red Select, Crimson Queen, Inaba Shidare, and Tamukeyama. Three green leaved varieties, Acer palmatum dissectum 'Ornatum,' Acer palmatum dissectum 'Watnong,' and Acer japonicum 'Green Cascade' provide fabulous orange to red fall color.

Though not classified as a Japanese Maple, another noteworthy small ornamental tree is the Paperbark Maple (Acer Griseum). This tree is prized for its brilliant red to crimson fall foliage and unique exfoliating cinnamon-like bark.