Acer Palmatum ‘Butterfly’

The splendid foliage on this small tree is prized for two reasons: not only does it change color, as Japanese Maples are renowned for doing, but the individual leaves are of different shapes and sizes!

A truly remarkable tree for large containers or garden accents, ‘Butterfly’ is a treasure.The leaves are deeply lobed and notched, with a base color of sage green and an outline that begins soft pink in spring, then turns white by summer. In fall, the outline becomes crimson a few weeks before the entire leaf turns a rich, blazing magenta. Stunning! But even more interesting than the color changes are the variations from leaf to leaf. No two are just alike in color or shape, creating a very distinctive look. Some leaves are curled and twisted as well, suggesting butterflies, and all are lovely on this upright, well-branched, rather dense 12- to 20-foot-tall, 8- to 10-foot-wide tree.’Butterfly’s Japanese name is ‘Kocho no mai,’ which also refers to a type of dancing girl, and when breezes ruffle the leaves, you can see how the name suggested itself.

The movement of the foliage is truly eye-catching and distinctive — lovely to glimpse through a window or gaze upon from the patio!’Butterfly’ thrives in full sun in the north, partial shade farther south. It’s a slow grower, giving you plenty of time to enjoy its petite stature and beautiful foliage. It’s a fine choice for large patio containers as well as small garden settings. This is a legacy tree, destined to be admired by generations.

Zones 5-8.