Plants of Merit: Japanese maple

Published 12:01 am Thursday, August 25, 2011

What: The Japanese maple Moon Fire is known for its incredible color and form.

Its black bark provides a striking background for plum-colored leaves that emerge in the spring. When its leaves turn red in the summer, the contrast is equally bold.

When fall arrives, its leaves turn a fiery red and it appear lit up when it is backlit by the sun.

Sun or shade? In order to achieve the full spectrum of color, Moon Fire requires some sun.

Deep dark shade will produce the purple-toned leaves, but a few hours of sun will bring out its brilliant colors later in the season.

Size: It can reach to 20 feet tall and about 15 feet wide.

See it: You can find this plant at the Evergreen Arboretum & Gardens — 145 Alverson Blvd., Everett; www.evergreenarboretum.com; 425-257-8597 — in the Japanese maple grove, just past the conifer garden, on the right after you pass through the arboretum entrance columns.

Source: Sandra Schumacher, Evergreen Arboretum & Gardens Foundation