Crimson Carole (Acer palmatum 'Crimson Carole')

Serrated, dissected leaves give this upright red palmatum a feathery look.

Corallinum (Acer palmatum 'Corallinum')

Is this an incredible color, or what? There are several cultivars which exhibit this same spring foliage, but Corallinum is the first among equals. This color lasts through early summer and then the small leaves turn a nice, often blotchy crinkled green, still interesting. The tree itself is more of a bush with fine twiggy growth. zone 5

Coral Magic (Acer palmatum 'Coral Magic')

Another in the Corallinum group, the spring color is its chief attraction. It is also one of the smallest of the group–to 6′. zone 6

Coonera Pygmy (Acer palmatum 'Coonera Pygmy')

This is a round shrubby dwarf with green leaves often touched with other colors; although it is a dwarf, it is pretty vigorous, generally a winner from my point of view. Zone 6.

Chitoseyama (Acer palmatum 'Chitoseyama')

We have something of a problem here. The tree as described in Vertrees does not seem to be the one in the trade. The Chitoseyama which I have and which appears in Google Images is a greenleafed form which comes out a fetching soft pinkish and turns olive green later in the summer; it reliably puts on a heavy set of scarlet seeds which adds to the interest. The tree is vigorous for a JM and will soon get to about 12′ tall and 10’wide. zone 6

Brandt's Dwarf (Acer palmatum 'Brandt's Dwarf')

Although Brandt’s Dwarf is vigorous as a youngster, it is a true dwarf and will top out at 3′ x 3′. The spring and fall color is bright red with greenish in the middle. It is happy in full sun. Good container or rock garden plant.

Bloodgood (Acer palmatum Bloodgood')

The warhorse of the red palmatums, Bloodgood keeps its good red color all summer, grows dependably to 20′ with regular branching. Nobody complains about this one. Zone 5. This excellent photo was taken by Michael Healy.

Bihou (Acer palmatum 'Bihou')

Here’s one that will knock your socks off. Bihou has yellow stems, winter and summer, lovely light green foliage with good fall color. In winter the trunk becomes slightly orange sort of like Japanese Sunrise but still distinct. Totally exciting.