Grandma Ghost (Acer palmatum 'Grandma Ghost' )

As with all the Ghosts, it is the spring show that grabs you; this medium upright spreader is fairly nondescript throughout the summer

Goshiki kotohime (Acer palmatum 'Goshiki kotohime' )

A dwarf with thick short branches, it can get to be 6′ tall. The new leaves come out pinkish. Fall color is orange. zone 6

Ghost Dancer (Acer palmatum 'Ghost Dancer' )

This is another in the series of Ghosts, but not from Buchholtz. It has the prominent veining of the others in the series with the prominent leaf color a greenish white with a shading of pink. To 8′; the fall color is quite nice. zone 6.

Geisha (Acer palmatum 'Geisha' )

Geisha has the first requirement of a plant that will make it big in the trade: a great name. Unfortunately it is lacking in the others. I’m kidding. It is totally darling with bright red leaves in the spring with dark green spots, but it has a small problem: it is not stable. You don’t know what it will look like from one growth spurt to the next. I would toss it except that even the reversions are interesting. This photo from Michael Healy shows the plant at its best.

Garyu (Acer palmatum 'Garyu' )

What to say? Garyu is bizarre; for sure it is a dwarf: mostly lying about, but sometimes sticking straight up; the long lobes on leaves twist and writhe; it is interesting and attractive if you can figure out how to grow it.

Fjellheim (Acer palmatum 'Fjellheim' )

Fjellheim is a dwarf coral bark maple; it has all the problems (pseudomonas susceptible) and all the beauties of its full sized cousins, Sango kaku, Beni Kawa, Redwood, etc. As one would expect, it is twiggier and shorter, ideal for a small garden. zone 6.

First Ghost (Acer palmatum 'First Ghost')

Like the rest of the ghost series, this plant is best in spring. The reticulated leaves are almost white.

Fireglow (Acer palmatum 'Fireglow' )

Fireglow is one of the hot (no pun intended) Japanese Maples; it is a red leafed cultivar and is thus compared to the standard ‘Bloodgood’; it is smaller than Bloodgood and so suitable for the smaller garden; it comes out bright scarlet and calms down to dark red in the summer; it has a regular branching habit and will be no more than 12′ at maturity. zone 6. This photo was provided my Michael Healy.

Fireball (Acer palmatum 'Fireball' )

Fireball is a wonderful bright red dwarf with deeply incised 5 lobed leaves. A new favorite of mine.