In The Garden Now….'Shaina' Japanese Maple

Dwarf Red Japanese Maple, with witch

Text and photo by Victoria Gilleland

She’s back! Once again what looks a lot like ‘The Halloween Witch’ has returned to our garden just in time for the holiday. This time she’s landed in a bright red dwarf Japanese maple. ‘Shaina’ is a beautiful small tree that sports intense crimson leaves from spring through fall … a worthy addition to most any garden.

Most gardeners would love a tree that’s easy to grow, compact, provides color in the garden for an extended period of time, and that grows well in a variety of growing conditions. ‘Shaina’ Dwarf Japanese Maple does all of this!

Petite purplish red to crimson leaves appear in spring. Exact color is dependent on the amount of sunlight, water, type of soil, growing conditions, and the time of year. Our ‘Shaina’ provides beautiful color for 8 months of the year in a semi shady bed of our garden.

‘Shaina’ is a compact globe forming Japanese maple that seems more like a medium to large shrub. It typically reaches 4 feet wide by 6 feet high after many years and can be tucked nicely into a smaller garden.

Because she’s a dwarf tree ‘Shaina’ can be grown beautifully in a container for many years. If you can find a spot for this eye catching tree in your garden plant one. You’ll love It!

(Botanical Name: Acer palmatum ‘Shaina’)

Victoria Gilleland is the owner of Cottage Garden Designs, a Garden Design company specializing in Redesign of Residential Gardens, Garden Consultation and Coaching. She has been designing gardens in the northwest for over 20 years.