Can't help you choose, but I would like to ask you about your Tamukeyama - do you like it? Does it do well in your zone? Knowing what you know now, would you buy it all over again, or buy something else?

I'm considering buying one and there's nothing like a 'referral' from a current owner!

Have you considered:

Hogyoku
Omato

I like Osakazuki of your choices. You might also condider a japonicum.

Two_munkeys- i just planted the tamukeyama the other day...it looks nice and healthy. So it hasn't gone through our WI winter yet...it says it does OK in zone 5 and i have it not too far from the house on the NE corner -so we'll see...keeping fingers crossed. MJH1676 - I'm kind of leaning towards the Osakazuki too. I was debating between that one and the Rosco Red, but I'm not sure how well the Rosco does in Zone 5?? Is there another name for Rosco Red? Can't seem to find it anywhere on certain JM sites. I've never seen a pic of the Hogyoku or Omato. Do you have any or links to them? Thanks!!! Which JMs do you have in your yard and like best?

Rocky,

The best way to find out about varieties of maples, or one of the best places to start, is to google them. Try searching for Acer palmatum Omato and Acer palmatum Hogyoku. A few hits down the list you will find the Esveld site. You can search for both of these trees there.

I like Hogyoku in your mix as it has a nice green or green/yellow in more sun and can have and orange or red hue along the margins. In fall it is an outstanding pumpkin ornage and is often paired with Osakazuki, the brfight red component. You can also use the sister seedling of Oaskazuki, Ichigyoji having the same leaf shape but the orange color.

As far as Rosco Red, it is likely a regionally named variety, probably a seedling selection of a red atropurpureum variety that has been selected for growth habit, color or hardiness. Personally, I have some issues with regionally named trees, but that doesn't mean I am right or that they are problematic. You will have to ask the grower about that one.

As far as my collection, I am a self-proclaimed addict and serious collector. There is no point in counting, but I am certainly well over a hundered and I don't usually pick favorites. When I recommend trees, I usually pick varieties that I feel have a genuine value and quality-with the many new introductions that is not always the case. There is a great distinction between a proven landscape tree and a collectible variety. What I would have for myself, I would not necessarily recommend.

MJH

I was also going to recommend Hogyoku before I saw MHJ's advice. Not only for the colors you're looking for, but mainly because it stands up to full sun well.

For fall color I would check out the Acer japonicum varieties. My experience with them as far a good green spring/summer color, large leaf size, and awsome fall color never disappoints. From all I have read these seem to be better choices for the northern climite due to them being more cold hardy. Some varieties to check out:

'Aconitifolium'
'Oregon Fern'
'Green Cascade'
'Otaki'
'Oisami'

The Acer palm. 'Hogyoku' does have really nice pumpkin orange fall coloring.

Kent

Thanks for all the information on this! Where do I buy a Hogyoku? I'm figuring online for sure...but does anyone have recommendation. The person i buy from in TN doesn't offer the Hogyoku, but he does offer the Osakazuki. Thanks again!!

Have you thought about the Kihachijo also, relatively large, green mildly serrated leaves, white striped bark and fall color is supposed to be interesting.

By the way...I ordered a Hogyoku and Osakazuki and am hopefully getting them in the next 2 days to plant!! Thanks for all your advice. How much spacing would you put between a hogyoku and osakazuki? I'll have the Hogyoku planted about 12 feet away from both the tamukeyama and shishigashira...is this OK? I don't care if they start to grow together a little bit..what do ya think?