Hi,

I have two questions on size and effective/complementary placement of Inaba Shidare. I'd be grateful for any feedback/suggestions.

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SIZE:

How tall and especially how wide does Inaba Shidare get? Searches from web or Vertrees indicate maxes out at 4ft, to maxes out at 20ft... so I'm seeking some verification. I plan on planting 10-12 feet away from a newly planted Waterfall and wonder if that is adequate spacing for two dissectums.

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PLACEMENT / What would be complementary / look best?

I have a long and wide and straight-row planting area and will be planting 3 maples: Inaba Shidare, Waterfall, and Aconitifolium grown as an irregularly branched tall shrub rather than single-trunk tree. I'm seeking advice on what order from left to right to plant them in that would look best.

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The only plants in the ground already whose location will not change are Filbert and Bloodgood. On the far left of the entire planting area is an already established Contorted Filbert (dark green). On the far right is an already established and mature Bloodgood. To the left of the Bloodgood I will planting some yellow tipped Saybrook Gold Juniper (similar to Gold Coast).

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Here are the options I am considering

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OPTION 1 (from left to right):

Filbert (dark green)

Inaba Shidare (dark red/purple)

Waterfall (light green)

Aconitifolium (also nice deep green)

Saybrook Gold Juniper

Bloodgood

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OPTION 2 (from left to right):

Filbert (dark green)

Waterfall (light green)

Inaba Shidare (dark red/purple)

Aconitifolium (also nice deep green)

Saybrook Gold Juniper

Bloodgood

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For me the difference in the two options is that in Option 1 I am using deep red Inaba Shidare to break up the green from Filbert and Waterfall. In Option 2 Inaba Shidare breaks up the green from Waterfall and Aconitifolium.

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To complicate matters, I also have a 4ft Pixie that has been potted for a few years that I've been meaning to get in the ground. If I use Pixie I would skip the Inaba Shidare and..

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OPTION 3 (from left to right):

Filbert (dark green)

Pixie (red)

Waterfall (light green)

Aconitifolium (also nice deep green)

Saybrook Gold Juniper

Bloodgood

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In Option 3 Waterfall is placed beside Aconitifolium to create contrast in form (i.e., so Pixie and Aconitofolium are not next to each other).

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Thanks for any input. The trees themselves will be beautiful but I'm pretty uncertain about complimentary placement.

growitnow

z7b, Eastern VA