Rare and Unusual Maples Archives (2024)

Aka Omote is an exciting maple! Aka Omote's orbicular leaves emerge red and keep the color throughout much of the spring, the leaves then fade to a dark emerald color. Aka omote leaves will often take on various shades of red when exposed to the sun. Young stems are somewhat shiny due to the coating of oils that the plant produces. Fall color is bright oranges and reds. Like many japonic*ms, Aka Omote is a strong grower. 10' in five years. Sun/part shade.

The White Tigress maple is considered to be by some the most striking of the snakebark maples. Bright white striations against a bright green bark is truly a sight. White Tigress is a cultivar that is often described as a hybrid, possibly A. davidii x A. tegmentosum. Some consider it the most heat tolerant of the snakebark maples. Hardy and fast-growing to 25 feet. Sun/ part shade.

Acer conspicuum ‘Esk Flamingo’ is a spectacular snakebark maple with a graceful weeping habit. Pink, cream and white new growth in spring and summer. Esk flamingo has bright pink red branches which are revealed in winter. Orange Autumn color. Suffers with twig dieback when hard freezes occur below 28° . Will grow to 10-12 feet in 15 years. Rare.

Acer conspicuum Phoenix is a stunning red striped snakebark! Leaves are glossy and larger than Erythrocladum. The bark is a deeper red than Acer pennsylvanicum 'Erythrocladum' . Fall color yellow. All maples enthusiasts should have at least one red snake bark in their collection. : ) Sun / part shade Hardy to -20 degrees. USDA zone 5.

Acer rubescens Red Flamingo - is a variegated snakebark maple that will be sure to dazzle you throughout the year! Red Flamingo has leaves that emerge rich in pink with deep red young shoots with white-striped bark. of it. The leaves stay streaked in vivid red-pink with white blotches throughout the season. Fall color is rich with oranges and red. Hardy. Medium sized tree to 15 feet. When established, the Red Flamingo can tolerate down to approximately -11° F ( -24° C) - Zone 6. Younger plants must be protected the first few years form extreme cold. Parentage uncertain - arising as a seedling in the Esk valley of NZ, named originally Esk Flamingo and then changed to Red Flamingo. Probably belongs to Acer rubescens, or is a hybrid with conspicuum.

Silver vein is a small but hardy fast growing snake bark with strong gray striping. Dark green leaves with red petioles are quite nice in the summer sun. Growth to 25'. Strong yellow fall color. Sun/ part shade. Hardy to -20 degrees. USDA zone 5.

Acer crataegifolium 'Veitchii' is an extremely beautiful variegate whose leaves emerge pink with splashes of cream colored variegation. In hot areas it is best to give Vetchii morning sun afternoon shade. Slow growing this small tree will reach 8' tall x 6' wide in 10 years. Hardy to -10 degrees. USDA zone 6. Rare.

Hansu suru is a very nice variegated variety of Acer davidii. Leaves can be entirely yellow, partly variegated or completely green. Vigorous grower to about 8 feet. Leaves are typical of the species but slightly smaller. Habit is bushier than the species. Branches sometimes revert. Best grown in part shade to avoid burning of highly variegated leaves.

Acer griseum the Paperbark Maple is an incredible maple with reddish bark that peels away from the trunk which is the focal point of this tree. The Paperbark has Fall color that is outstanding yellow to orange then to red! The paper bark maple is a collectors tree worthy a spot in all enthusiastic gardeners landscape. Very hardy. Tree will reach 20 feet. Hardy to -30 degrees. USDA zone 4

Acer macrophyllum Tubbs Fire is a wonderful variegated Big Leaf Maple tree that has striking yellow and white splashes of color on its' large Macrophyllum leaves. The leaf variegation is bold in color with a distinct division of color. A bonus feature is that new bark often has pink and white striations!The Tubbs Fire Big Leaf maple has leaves the same size as the native, is fairly fast growing and will grow to an approximate height of 25' in 10 years (similar to the the native, but perhaps slightly slower due to the variegation). The Tubbs Fire maple is hardy and can tolerate a decent amount of sun and heat, though not quite as heat tolerant as the native - the yellow portions of the leaf can burn in intense sun climates.The original plant specimen was found growing in the wild, in the burned area of the Tubbs Fire in Sonoma county, CA in 2019 by Lucas Dexter. Lucas who has a keen eye for finding new varieties of plants in the wild, discovered the plant growing as a sport basal sprout from where a Big Leaf maple tree was lost growing in the 2017 Tubbs Fire.The only other known variegate found through online searches list 'Santiam' as a cultivar with variegation - though not very similar to Tubbs Fire.

Available late Spring

Fast growing tree to 25 tall. Spring foliage colors consist of pink, cream and green. Variegated throughout summer. Full sun, partial shade

Acer negundo violaceum has the most amazing flowers of all the maples in our nursery. In Spring the wispy raceme clusters of bright red stamens from the flowers hang down from the branches like ornaments on a Christmas tree. Leaves emerge in the Spring with a purplish color - hence the name violaceum. Orange and red colors in the Fall. Grows rapidly to 20+ feet. Hardy to -10°.

An outstanding cultivar with broad, upright habit. Beautiful bright yellow bark lightens up the winter day. Fast growing to 10 feet in ten years Hardy.

This fine snakebark was given the Royal Hort Award of Merit in 1976. This small tree merits a place in everyones garden! Brilliant pink and red bark greets the eyes on cold and dark wintery days! Fall color is buttery yellow. Rare in cultivation this slow growing tree will reach 8 feet in 10. Sun / part shade.

Acer pentaphyllum is a very lovely elegant maple with distinct five-lobed deep green leaves. From China, this maple is considered to be perhaps the rarest maple in the wild and deserves a place in the garden. Leafs out later than most maples, hardy and strong growth to about 20 feet. Orange and red fall color. We are offereing grafted plants (onto pseudoplatanus) and cutting grown plants. Sun/ part shade.

An incredible maple, rare to the landscape, Acer pictum Usugumo has unusual leaf form speckled with fine dots of white. Leaves emerge pinkish in spring and darken slightly to a light green. Very Very cool. Slow growing to 8'. Need protection from the hot direct sun.

Acer platanoides "Drummundii" is a large leafed maple typical of the Norway maple but it is beautifully variegated! Leaves have a green center with creamy white margins! Given the Royal Horticulture Society Award of merit in 1993. Leaves emerege often speckled with the variegation showing up later in the season. Like many variegates, young plants sometimes do not have variegation, but will develop once plants are older. It will reach about 35' when mature.

With leaves somewhat smaller than most of the platanoides cultivars, Waldersii will make a stunning statement in your landscape. White leaves speckled with green stand out in dappled light or a shaded area. Yellow Fall color. Likes morning sun and protection from the hot afternoon sun. Growth to 25'

Brilliantissimum is a beautiful is an A. pseudoplatanus. with shrimp pink leaves that emerge in the spring which then turn a nice lime green color in the summer. Fall colors are golden yellow and orange. Small tree to 8 feet. Sun / part shade.

Acer pseudoplatanus Esk Sunset (AKA Eskimo Sunset) is a stunning maple! It's spring leaves emerge orange-pink and settle into a leaf that is green splashed with cream and pink coloring. And incredibly the underside of the Esk Sunset leaf is purple! Esk Sunset Originated from the Esk Valley on the North Island of New Zealand, the Esk Sunset will become a medium sized tree will grow to 12 feet by 12' in 10 years. Esk Sunset needs some protection from the hot sun in very hot areas...otherwise fairly sun tolerant. Cold hardy to -10° F. Zone 5.

Bold splashes of creamy yellow variegation make this broad leaf maple exciting. Acer pseudoplatanus Leopoldii is a spectacular full sized tree that is a standout in the landscape. Given the Royal Horticultural Societies First Class Certificate in 1865 and Award of Garden Merit in 1993. Fall color nice golden yellows. Hardy and strong growing to 40' or more. Sun/ part shade.

Acer Psuedoplatanus Prince Camille de Rohan is an extremely nice variegated maple. Leaves are pastel green, pink and cream colors with a purple underside. Unlike any of the other psuedoplatanus cultivars I grow. Brilliant blend of pink. purple and red spring color. With a name like "Prince Camille de Rohan' you just got to have it! Strong grower. Growth to 20+ feet. Sun/ part shade.

Prinz Handjery is a wonderful Acer pseudoplatanus maple with brilliant shrimp-pink spring growth with summer leaves transforming to chartruese green with purple undersides. Prinz Hanjery is very floriferous! We offer seedling grown plants which we have found behave similarly to grafted plants and grafted plants. Fall color of Prinz Hanjery has leaves turning buttery yellow, then to orange. Medium sized tree to 10 feet in 10 years. Prefers sun with part afternoon shade in hot climates. Cold hard to -10 Zone 5

A. pseudoplatanus. Puget Pink has a shrimp pink leaf emergence in the spring that is outstanding! Seems to be a brighter pink than Prinz Hanjery - but hard to say - both are very nice plants! Puget Pink leaves fade to a chartruese green and settle in for the summer. Nice yellow fall color with orange following. This cultivar originated from a Seedling selected from Prinz Hanjery. We offer grafted plants from the original Puget Pink and selected seedlings that are the same as the parent. Please specify if you have to have the grafted plant (we may or may not have it). Puget Pink will grow 12 feet in 10 years. In hot sunny areas it does best in morning Sun with shade in the afternoon. Cold Hardy to -10 F°.

Beautiful bold splashes of variegation on a broad leaf make this a spectacular Acer pseudoplatanus. Simon Louis Freres is slower growing than other variegated forms of pseudoplatanus, but will grow to 15 feet in 10 years. Rare but an appealing plant worthy of more attention. Sun/ part shade.

This variegated form of Acer pseudoplatunus is a stunning and wonderful selection of the variegated pseudoplatanus. The leaves of this cultivar emerge in the spring with a deep red to purple color. Petioles become bright red in summer with sun exposure to make the leaves wonderfully colored. Solid yellow and orange fall color. A. pseudoplatanus variegate is very sturdy and fast growing tree. Grows to 12-15'. A very nice plant! Can handle Sun but give shade in very hot areas.

Acer pseudoplatanus 'Whorley' is a nice landscape tree that has leaves that emerge bright yellow and turn a light green in the summer. Fall colors are yellow and orange. A hardy fast growing tree that can be used as a specimen plant or a shade tree. Growth to 25 '. Sun / part shade.

Acer rubescens Silver Cardinal is an incredibly beautiful variegate, this maple also has pink and purple striped bark! Silver Cardinal is very hardy and fast growing, this tree will reach 10 feet in 8 years. Also listed in literature as A. conspicuum Silver Cardinal. We are offering both grafted and seedling grown plants. The seedling grown are selected for very good variegation and leaf structure (which may differ slightly from the parent plant.) If you are a collector of Acers and must have a grafted plant - please specify that when you order in the order notes area. Hardy to 0 degrees. USDA zone 7.

A beautiful cultivar of the sugar maple. Leaves are deeply cleft, almost to the base. Green leaves turn to the spectacular fall colors that sugar maples are known for! Hardy and fast growing. Medium sized tree to 20'.

Acer shirasawanum Mikado is potentially a hybrid like the Johin, and emerges with deep purples in the spring that contrast with lime green veins. As the leaves develop in the summer months, Mikado color will turn more green while maintaining some of the bronze colors pictured.This is a great maple for those in zone 5 or anyone worried about frost tolerance, as it is suited for -20. Fall color is a fiery red. This plant reaches between 8 and 10 feet by 5 feet wide at its maximum height.

Acer sieboldianum Kumoi Nishiki is one of our favorite maples due to its unique mottled variegation combined with the fuzzy texture that is characteristic of this species. In Japanese, kumoi means "sky", "cloud" or "imperial palace" and nishiki means "fancy", and this gorgeous plant holds true to this translation. Leaf shape is wide like some of the highly sought after moon varieties in shirasawanum.Spring colors have touches of pink and fall color brings a brilliant combination of purples, yellows and oranges. This plant is extremely cold tolerant, down to zone 5. If planted in the landscape, Kumoi Nishiki can reach up to 15 feet by 12 feet wide in 10 years.

Acer sieboldianum Shoryu no tsume is a beautiful cold tolerant Japanese maple with a uniquely shaped leaf. Shoryu-no-tsume means "claw of the dragon". The summer green foliage on Shoryu no tsume turns first to bright orange and then to a brilliant shade of red in the fall. Shoryu-no-tsume is cold hardy to zone 4 and will become a mounding tree of about 10-12 ft in 15 years.

Acer sieboldianum Sode-no-uchi is a gorgeous small maple with bright green leaves. Brilliant fall colors make this maple spectacular in the fall. Sode-no-uchi will form a small roundish tree to about 8' in 12 years.

Acer tegementosum Joe Witt is a species of Snakebark Maple with beautiful white striations on the green trunk and limbs. Joe Witt tends to have a whiter bark than most of the other snakebark maples with the bark sometimes turning almost completely white. This snake bark cultivar also has the largest leaves of all snakebarks which turn a buttery yellow in autumn. Prefers a partially shaded site. Grows to about 20'. Very cold hardy. Joe Witt was a curator at the Washington Park Arboretum in Seattle and its winter garden was named for him.

Arakawa is also known as the rough bark maple because it has a unique corky bark. The rough bark shows up after several years of growth and become quite prominent as the maple ages. These trees are popular amongst bonsai lovers for their unique bark which develops even when dwarfed. In Japanese, "ara" means "rough" and "kawa" means "bark" or "river", (the Arakawa River in Japan empties into the Tokyo bay). Fantastic fall color with leaves turning bright orange and red. Growth to 18 feet. Sun or part shade. Hardy to -20 degrees. USDA zone 5.

The Japanese maple Beni Hagoromo is a stunning Acer palmatum that has very distinctive and unusual leaves. Beni hagomorohas has leaves that appear to be almost feathery and dissected to the base of the leaf. Beni Hagomoro leaves emerge in the Spring with a Brilliant Red color that will become green with tinges of red in Summer. Beni hagomoro is a very unique and beautiful cultivar. Fall colors are orange and red. Beni Hagomoro medium sized tree to about 12 feet. Hardy to -10.

Acer palmatum Black Lace is a lace leaf maple with a unique dark purple color that almost appears black- which is quite hard to capture in photographs. This upright weeping variety does well in sunny areas, and would look stunning planted next to bright and colorful ornamentals for contrast. Fall color is bright red. Black Lace will grow 12 feet tall by 10 feet wide in about 10 years if planted in the natural landscape. Best suited for zones 5-9.

Acer japonicum Indian Summer is a beautiful full leafed maple with outstanding fall color. Green summer growth turns ablaze with yellow, orange and red colors in the fall. The rounded leaves can get quite large in diameter, giving it a very unique appearance. Indian Summer is a medium tree, reaching 10-12 feet at maximum height with an upright, spreading habit. Does well in sun as long as it gets some shade in the day. Best suited for zones 5-9.

Kaleidoscope is a new Japanese maple introduction by Mendocino Maples Nursery. Kaleioscope was found in 2007 growing as a variegated sport on a Seigen. New medium sized leaves emerge in the spring bright orangish red – not unlike Shindeshojo. They stay bright orange-red for several weeks and then will develop into a green leaf with speckles of red, orange, pink and white variegation. Not all leaves on Kaleidoscope show the variegation but many do. Some leaves are sickle-shape like found on Asahi Zuru or Oridono Nishiki. Many leaves have heavy variegation while some lack it entirely Kaleidoscope has Fall Color that is pleasing pastel yellow, oranges and reds. Small growing tree to about 6’ Grows hardy and seems to prefer morning sun and afternoon shade in hot climates. The Kaleidoscope mother plant is over 10 yrs. old and is only 5’ H by about 5’W. I suspect it will grow slightly larger than this over time but it will not be a large tree.

Available Soon!