Acer ‘Emerald Lace’

Foliage emerges chartreuse in spring, turns deep green for summer, then turns bright burgundy-red in fall!

If you’ve tried growing very finely-cut-leafed Japanese Maples before, chances are you’ve not been impressed. I know We’ve never been satisfied with their garden performance — which is why Emerald Lace is such a welcome introduction. Not only is it spectacularly beautiful, with lacy leaves that turn from yellow-green to deep emerald to bright burgundy with the seasons, but it’s a fast-growing, robust little tree that will delight you for decades!

The foliage really does resemble lace, so intricate and fine are its divisions. Casting fascinating shadows on the ground, it emerges a light chartreuse in spring — airy, delicate, and exquisitely lovely! In summer it deepens to the darkest, richest green We have ever seen on this king of Japanese Maple. Then, with the first cold weather of fall, it turns a vivid burgundy-red. The pendulous branches are even magnificent against the winter landscape! For four-season interest, you can’t top Emerald Lace!Within 10 years this tree has reached its mature size of 6 feet high and wide.

Best in partial shade, it is an awe-inspiring companion to blue-leafed Hostas and cool pink Heucheras! Or set it in solitary splendor in the front yard, for an unforgettable “landmark” accent plant that will become the favorite of the entire neighborhood.

Emerald Lace was selected as a seedling in Charlotte, North Carolina, and has been wowing plantsmen ever since! Like most Japanese Maples, it is quite tolerant of heat and humidity, growing readily in the sweltering south yet happy right through zone 5 in the north. Tolerant of any soil type provided the drainage is good and adequate water is available, it is an easy-to-grow pleasure for any partly shaded spot! Space trees 7 feet apart.

Zones 5-8.