While the leaves of two Floating Cloud Japanese maples (Acer palmatum ‘Ukigumo’, below) in this garden are unlikely to ever match their brillance in the cool Pacific Northwest, in this cloudy and often rainy Virginia spring the colors are the best I can recall. Other Japanese maples match favorably in color until the warmer day and nighttime temperatures of summer inevitably lead to a greater degree of fading, but even in spring the two Floating Clouds lack the touch of pink that favors maples in the Northwest.

Over decades, visiting nurseries and gardens in Oregon and Washington, Floating Cloud became a favorite. The first was planted in slightly damp ground in the partially shaded lower rear garden. From the start, the disappointing variegation was excused as the result of its recent planting, then later as possibly due to excessive soil moisture. Then, heck with it, I’m planting another in the drier, shadier front garden. Slightly better and superb color for a Japanese maple, but not up to the Pacific Northwest standard.

So, despite fond memories, Floating Cloud is a favorite that has fallen behind others in the garden. A second variegated maple, ‘Butterfly’ (above), compares favorably with foliage that is barely changed by the heat of summer. The lack of chlorophyll is evident in its slower growth, and in ideal circumstances, there’s no question I’d prefer the Floating Cloud maple, but ‘Butterfly’ is a splendid small maple.

When I searched for a relatively small growing but densely branched maple to be planted in the renovated garden beside the new sunroom (above), ‘Butterfly’ was an easy choice. Surrounded by red leafed Japanese maples, the variegated foliage with the yellow leafed ‘Moonrise’ nearby were perfect contrasts.

As the garden’s collection of Japanese maples has increased, I am sometimes forced to accept a small tree when budget or availability doesn’t permit planting a more mature tree. While first year growth is often slow, I am surprised that the Batwing maple (Acer pictum ‘Usugumo’, above) has jumped in its second spring. Still, I’d rather plant a plump eight footer, but it won’t be too many more years before this uncommon maple makes a splendid show.

Of course, many plants in the garden have stories that favor them more than only as natural beauties. A ‘Manyo no sato’ Japanese maple (above) was a retirement gift a year ago. No doubt, the perfect gift, and again, its variegated foliage will slow its progress. Today, it’s just big enough that I’m thrilled to have it.

Another recent acquisition, the yellow twigged ‘Bihou’ (above) grows more quickly. A three foot tall twig of a tree has quickly grown to a full six feet, and while the green leafed maple is nothing special through much of the year, I gratefully accepted the small tree to add to the collection of winter interest plants.