Acer Pubipalmatum

Now accepted as Acer pauciflorum, this rare Chinese maple resembles a small-leaved Japanese maple but is distinguished by dense white hairs beneath the leaves and on the young petioles and shoots. The deeply cut five- to seven-lobed foliage is dark green above, then develops vivid yellow, orange, scarlet and maroon shades in autumn. Small spring flower clusters are followed by purplish-brown winged fruits. Usually compact and upright in cultivation, it offers collectors an uncommon, hardy maple with excellent seasonal colour and fine-textured foliage.