What do you consider "dwarf"? Would you like a weeping form or an upright? Leaf color preferences? Need to narrow things down a bit as there are literally hundreds to choose from :-)

How dwarf?

Hi! I'm thinking something maybe under 4 feet, red leaf, weeping is fine. It would be placed along a pathway. I'm a total newbie to JMs. I think they are just SO beautiful, but I have no idea what variety to get and what would do well in our cold climate.

Your best chance for one that will stay that small is look for those with a low graft. I'd look at either 'Red Dragon' or 'Ever Red' - both widely available - but just about any other red leafed dissectum could work. Watch out for those that develop considerable spread, like 'Crimson Queen'.

All are of similar hardiness.

'Ever Red' is a synonym of 'Dissectum Nigrum', which dates from 1938, actually grows bigger than 'Crimson Queen' without remaining deeply colored as late in the summer as that variety. Try the newer, more compact (eventually 8 ft.) 'Red Dragon', with its in addition better color retention than pretty much all other red dissectums. Note that if the site does get blasted by cold spring winds this could be a problem for 'Red Dragon', also it must be kept moist in summer. (But hydrangeas and hostas aren't particularly drought tolerant either, and you have been getting these to grow in that spot)

How well any red leafed dissectum will hold its color in midseason depends heavily on siting. Some will green out in too much shade; others may do a similar greening or bronzing in a lot of sunlight. As to which cultivar holds its color the best all season long, that is up for some debate :-)

Bella I don’t have any red ones. I have Aureum, Moonrise, Ukigomo, and a weeper - Spring Delight, that have all done well here so far. Are you on the Japanese Maple FB page? There’s a few people on there that are from IL - there’s a guy in Rockford with a ton of Maples. I got some good suggestions last time I was looking.

Dingo, thanks for the suggestion. I wasn't aware that there was a FB page for JMs. I guess there's FB pages for everything nowadays. I'll look into it. Thanks! BTW, where did you purchase yours?

I got Spring Delight from Conifer Kingdom, the Moonrise and Aureum from Eastfork, and I don’t remember where Ukigomo came from but it was tiny!

Thanks Dingo! I'll look into your recommendations.

It’s spelled ‘Inaba Shidare’ sorry for my typo.

Thank you everyone for the information and pics. You've all been so helpful. I really appreciate it. I'll definitely look into the suggested varieties and websites.

‘Inaba Shidare’ may be too wide for your site. This is mine in fall last year and it is well over 8 feet in diameter.

tj

wow. that's beautiful!