We rarely find palmate leaves on a weeping Japanese Maple, and we particularly like the landscape opportunities these delicate, pendulous branches offer. They create a flowing curtain when the tree is placed above a stone wall or trained to drape over an arbor. 'Ryusen' has fiery orange-red fall foliage and vigorous growth, which simply enhance the effect. PP 18,501

The 150 species of Maples have a wide distribution, from Europe and Asia to North and Central America. Their winged fruits twirl like helicopters when they drop, but their often colorful, lobed, or finely cut leaves are the real attraction.