Acer palmatum ‘Iijima sunago’ is an old cultivar from Japan that was first mentioned in the 19th century. ‘Iijima sunago’ is an upright Japanese maple with dark orangish-red leaves with pronounced green veins in the spring. ‘Iijima sunago’ translates to “sand dusted” which describes the white specks that the leaves of this tree develops during most summers. Fall color is then a bright shade of orange.

Photo by Jeff Cottrell

Photo by Jeff Cottrell