Acer palmatum

Most are forms of Acer palmatum and the plants we buy in their enormous variety of leaf form and foliage colour have been grafted on a rootstock of the straight species to make them robust.

The most common variety is Acer palmatum, although there is also A.

6 This is the time of year when you realise why so many gardeners fall in love with Japanese maples, Acer palmatum.

If you can offer it a sheltered spot, Acer palmatum 'Senkaki' is a glorious example of these delightful Japanese trees.

"The dark wine-red leaves of the Japanese maple, Acer palmatum 'Bloodgood', are a stunning partner for the rich golden foliage of Spiraea japonica 'Goldflame'.

| Carol gets to work pruning dead branches from Cercidiphyllum japonicum 'Pendulum', above, and leaves of the Acer palmatum 'Osakazuki', inset

This week's online offer is for an Acer palmatum dissectum Seiryu for just pounds 5.99 - that's half price.

A The Japanese maple (Acer palmatum atropurpureum) was built for the job, Darren.

Bright sunshine does not suit every plant; you may see the stripes on your clematis Nelly Moser fade and the foliage of Acer palmatum shrivel up.

If you don't want to replant or create a totally new border, buy some specimen plants to act as focal points in your existing garden, such as Phormium tenax, with its sword-shaped leaves, or Fatsia japonica, which provides sculptural foliage in a shady spot, callicarpa or cotoneaster for colourful berries and Acer palmatum for a burst of autumn colour.

Threadleaf Japanese maple (Acer palmatum 'Seiryu') towers over red-leafed 'Little John' azalea, variegated ivy, and abelia in a 2- by 4- foot rectangular black zinc container.

Q WHEN my Japanese Maple (Acer palmatum var dissectum) comes into leaf every year, the fresh, new leaves always crinkle up, go brown and die.

The tree was Acer palmatum "Osakasuzi" and the experience was a revelation.

The beauty of these elegant trees is in the leaf colour in the different seasons as well as their seeming fragility, especially among species such as Acer palmatum atropurpureum, which turns to rich red.

Forms and cultivars of Acer palmatum are incredibly beautiful but can be difficult to incorporate into planting schemes.