Weeping cutleaf Japanese maple

Japanese maple 'Crimson Queen' in summer.

* Common name: Weeping cut-leaf Japanese maple

* Botanical name: Acer palmatum var. dissectum

* What it is: A small tree with a weeping, umbrella-shaped habit and fine, heavily dissected leaves. ‘Tamukeyama,’ ‘Crimson Queen,’ ‘Garnet’ and ‘Red Feather’ are among red-leafed types; ‘Viridis’ and ‘Waterfall’ are limey-green ones. Most get brilliant red fall foliage.

* Size: Slow-growing to 6-8 feet tall and 8-10 feet wide (ultimately bigger depending on size and pruning).

* Where to use: Superb specimen at a house corner, tucked beside a deck or in a courtyard. A must in any Oriental garden. Best kept out of wind – especially from the northwest. Afternoon shade or all-day dappled sunlight keeps thin leaves from bleaching.

* Care: Keep soil consistently moist (but never soggy) the first two years, then give weekly soaking when weather is hot and dry. Japanese beetles may chew leaves in July. Annual spring scattering of granular organic tree fertilizer is optional.

* Great partner: Gold mums, golden creeping sedum or golden variegated hosta.