Acer palmatum 'Beni shi en' Purple Smoke Japanese Maple

Acer palmatum 'Beni shi en'Purple Smoke Japanese Maple Zones 5-9 This unique Acer palmatum was found as a variegated sport off a heat tolerant red Japanese maple in lower Alabama. 'Beni shi en' leafs out in the early spring as purple with lime-green variegation. 'Beni shi en' is a photographer's delight as every leaf is variegated differently. By mid-summer, this Japanese maple is a green-red with a creamy variegation. Fall colors on this tree are bright oranges to reds. 'Beni shi en' translates as "purple smoke" which is quite fitting for such a heat tolerant deep purple maple. It forms a vase-like shape up to 10-12 ft in 15 years. 'Beni shi en' is a Japanese maple selection made right here in the South by the famous Japanese maple legend, Harold Johnston of Alabama.'Beni shi en' is often used in the deep south to bring a unique ornamental style to that southern exposure spot in the landscape. It is great for focal point planting and should be planted where one can see the unique st