Purple Acers from Junker's Nursery (13)

	ACER palmatum 'Moonfire' The wonderful deep purple foliage appears almost opalescent in certain lights, with the colour being retained well all summer; indeed better than many purples. The lobes are deeply divided and lightly toothed. As is often the case, this one is upright when young, with the head broadening as it develops. Crimson autumn colours. 3m

	ACER palmatum 'Murasaki kiyohime' The yellow green leaves have contrasting red margins and lobes when young, which is particularly effective when the second flush of growth is back-dropped against already mature rich green foliage. Slow growing to 1-1.25m and densely branched. Lovely yellow autumn colour. Superb. Other similar cultivars include 'Mapi no machihime'.

	ACER palmatum 'Mure hibari' The leaves of this charming Maple have been described by one Japanese writer as "like a crystal of snow". I regret that my descriptions are less elegant. Deeply divided lobes that are themselves also deeply incised are held most elegantly on gracefully arching limbs. The fundamentally green leaves are tinted with brick red at the edges when young, to be followed by yellow to crimson blends of autumn colour. A strong growing tree and an absolute favourite of mine. 3-4m. See it in our Maple Glade.

	ACER palmatum 'Musashino' Previously listed as Acer palmatum 'Nomura'. This ancient cultivar was introduced from Japan in 1896. It is a fast growing shrubby tree to 8m by potentially as much wide in the end. The bold purple leaves are quite shiny, particularly when young. Good red autumn colour. See it in our Maple Glade.

	ACER palmatum 'Nishiki gawa' Commonly known as the "Pine Bark Maple" after its corky, furrowed bark (photo right). Forms a well branched initially upright, strong growing tree that develops a rounded crown as it matures. The leaves are typical of the species in shape and colour. This description doesn't really do justice to an excellent plant which is perfect for more natural planting schemes and less ideal conditions. The autumn colours are truly outstanding too 5m (photo left). See also Acer palmatum 'Arakawa ukon' which is more compact. See it in our Maple Glade.

	ACER palmatum 'Nomura' see Acer palmatum 'Musashino'

	ACER palmatum 'Nuresagi' "The Wet Heron" is one of the more puzzling translations! A good deep purple giving lovely red autumn colours. 2-3m

	ACER palmatum 'Õ kagami' An excellent purple cultivar which maintains colour well all summer and develops vivid scarlet autumn colours. The name means "the mirror" which reflects the intensity of colour of the almost shiny solid leaves. A notable feature of this cultivar is that it reliably produces bright red seeds which contrast beautifully against the purple foliage. A vigorous and robust grower, forming a rounded canopy. See it in our Maple Glade.

	ACER palmatum 'Õgon sarasa' "Gold Calico Cloth" An American cultivar; the leaves unfold brick-red in the spring before turning bronze green in summer. The 7 lobed leaves are deeply divided. I love this group of ever changing subtle colours. I also enjoy the contrast of the dark leaves with bright green stems on this one. It's also a nice tidy, rather upright grower with wonderful bright autumn colours, which change through a kaleidoscope of colour to major on orange. 4m See it in our Maple Glade.

	ACER palmatum 'Okukuji nishiki' A strikingly variegated upright plant. White and cream on a base of powdery green, often with whole leaves cream. New leaves are tinged pink. Very similar to Acer palmatum 'Butterfly'. 3m As with all the variegated cultivars, the limitations of our site mean that we are unlikely to propagate many of this one.

	ACER palmatum 'Okushimo' This is quite distinctive due to the way in which the dark green leaves are quite stiff with each deeply divided lobe being rolled upward along its margins almost forming a tapering tube. Vigorous when young, forming an upright vase shaped plant to 4m but only 1.5m wide. Excellent autumn colours in shades of yellow and orange.

	ACER palmatum 'Omato' This is essentially a purple palmatum which fades (rather subtly actually) to green through summer. (I believe it is actually classified as a green...so perhaps it would be more correct to turn that round and say that it is a green-leaved palmatum with subtle purple overtones through the early season.) Lovely orange autumn colours. Simple, yet it is that very simplicity which makes it effective. Lovely autumn colours too. Typically forms a broad headed small tree.

	ACER palmatum 'Omureyama' A cascading broad headed small tree; the willowy pendulous branches form a curtain around the edge of the plant. Leaves are a bright green in summer, with spectacular crimson and gold autumn colours. Potentially a wonderful specimen plant; 3-5m x 4-5m in 20yrs but oh so slow to get going. Although the photograph in Vertrees book shows an impressive specimen, I am having real trouble with this cultivar and have all but given up on it in favour of Acer palmatum 'Autumn Showers'.