Acer palmatum 'Shadow Selection' is an excellent landscape Japanese maple with leaves slightly larger than typical of the species and a compact habit, yet still becomes a good sized plant in time. New spring leaves are pink, then fading to a dusty green for summer of gold fall color. Interesting story behind this - back in ~1986 the SE USA had a horrible freeze (negative 24 degrees where I lived in eastern TN at that time). I was collecting Japanese maples from Don Shadow (Shadow Nursery) and at that time, Don's collection was around 700 cultivars. I lost the vast majority of my plants and Don did too. One survived with zero damage - I had purchased mine from Don a few years ago and he had several planted in the field at his nursery. The label had gotten lost, so we don't know what it's actual name is, but its by far the most cold hardy Japanese maple I've ever seen! It is much more compact growing than the species and in time will likely get to 20' Mine is about 40 years old now and approaching 20'. A true winner! Thanks to Eric Schmidt for use of his photos. HARDINESS: zone 5-9 EXPOSURE: part shade to sun SIZE: 20' slowly SHIPPING SIZE: 11/2 gallon container. 9-11" plant.
