Acer p. 'Anne Irene' #3

Acer palmatum ‘Anne Irene’

A luminous and highly sought-after variegated Japanese maple, ‘Anne Irene’ is a sport of ‘Summer Gold’ discovered in Holland that brings an extra layer of color intrigue to the garden. Spring foliage emerges brilliant golden yellow, often outlined with a delicate, frilly red margin that gives each leaf a hand-painted appearance. As the season progresses, the red edging softens while the foliage intensifies to an even richer yellow, creating a glowing canopy effect that brightens shaded garden spaces.

Its branching structure is refined and elegant, forming a small tree with a balanced, upright to slightly spreading habit that works beautifully as a specimen, courtyard feature, or high-end container planting. In fall, the display shifts dramatically as the canopy ignites in fiery red to deep maroon tones, offering a bold seasonal finale. Best color develops in part shade with protection from harsh afternoon sun, though it will tolerate more light in cooler climates with adequate moisture and well-drained soil.

Why We Love It: Few maples deliver this kind of sustained golden color — that red spring edging is just the icing on the cake.