Acer palmatum ‘Winter Flame’

An offspring of ‘Sango Kaku,’ commonly called Coral Bark Japanese Maple, ‘Winter Flame’ is a more recent introduction that grows to only half the size of its parent, reaching 6 to 8 feet tall and 4 to 5 feet wide in about ten years. You might expect 10 to 12 feet tall and 6 to 7 feet wide when all grown up. As with its parent, Winter Flame is a year-round color factory. During winter, its branches and stems turn flaming red. In early spring, new leaves emerge brilliant chartreuse to light lime-green, contrasting beautifully with the red bark. As the season progresses, the palmate leaves become medium green with new growth in light green. With cooler temperatures in fall, the foliage turns to yellow and pink shades, ending up golden orange with some red shades mixed in. With its more diminutive stature, Winter Flame is a lovely specimen in smaller garden spaces and containers or grouping where space allows.