Few species incite plant lust as surely as a well-grown Japanese Maple (Acer palmatum). Every gardener wants at least one, and more acquisitive gardeners turn into dedicated collectors. With their extraordinary form and outstanding foliage, Japanese Maples are stunning four-season landscape features. Winter reveals their elegant branching, almost like living sculpture. Delicate leaves emerge in early spring in a range of colors from pale green and pink to various reds or burgundy. Their brilliant foliage is most effective in fall, which is also an ideal time to plant (some would say enthrone) one in the garden.

Choosing from among the hundreds of named varieties can be a daunting task. Determine the tree's ultimate size, shape and color before making a selection. The five- to nine-lobed leaves are delicately tapered, creating the remarkably fine texture that is the signature of the species. Some varieties have palm-shaped leaves (hence, the palmatum designation), while others are more thread-like with finely-toothed margins (the dissectum group). The largest can mature into a 20-foot upright rounded specimen. Others remain like weeping shrubs, more broad than they are tall. Consider all these characteristics before deciding on a tree's placement.

With age a single, very special Japanese Maple will become an important focal point in the garden. A single specimen creates an especially elegant effect when sited near water, where the reflection magnifies its beauty. Several may be grouped as understory trees at the edge of a woodland. In a postage-stamp patio garden, one of the tall varieties can function as the major landscape element, even casting a little shade. A weeping threadleaf selection works well on a slope. Surprisingly, a small Japanese Maple will thrive contentedly in a container for many years.

The more brilliant Japanese Maples garner the most attention, but there are situations where varieties with pale green and chartreuse foliage are better choices. This is especially true if the plant is seen against red brick, a dark fence or in the shade. Here the pale foliage provides a more vivid contrast. What grows beneath the tree is important as well. Avoid distracting annual color; a tidy groundcover that forms a green carpet is all that's needed. Possibilities include Mondo Grass (Ophiopogon), Liriope (Liriope) and Japanese Pachysandra (Pachysandra terminalis).

Several Japanese Maple cultivars have proven themselves in southern landscapes over the years. Among reliable performers in the palmatum group, 'Bloodgood' matures to 20 feet or more. It has a reputation for having the deepest red (nearly purple) foliage and for retaining its color in the heat of summer. 'Oshio Beni' is shorter and has orange-red leaves that become flame-colored in fall. 'Sango Kaku', the Coralbark Maple, is prized for the unique winter effect of its brilliant red branches. Its foliage is clear yellow in autumn.

Among the dissectum cultivars, 'Red Dragon' and 'Tamukyama' are two red forms that show outstanding heat- resistance in southern gardens. 'Viridis' is the industry standard in the green-leafed category. It matures into a lacy parasol. 'Waterfall' is similar in color but more pendulous. Both have yellow fall foliage.

Many gardeners mistakenly believe that Japanese Maples are always expensive investment plants. While it is true that "museum-quality" maples bring a princely sum, small trees are very reasonably priced. As a group, they are exquisitely beautiful at any age, and there is much enjoyment to be had in nurturing a good-looking young tree whose loveliness improves with the passage of time. Plants labeled "seedling" Japanese Maples are also available. Their genetic ancestry is a little clouded, and they lack the pedigree of the named cultivars. But they do have majestic structure and pretty leaves. The color sequence from spring to fall will be unpredictable but invariably pleasing. They are a good choice for gardeners who like to be surprised.

Japanese Maples thrive in ordinary well-drained soil in a range of exposures from sun to light shade. Avoid locations in wind and baking afternoon sun that will damage the delicate leaves. They suffer from no significant pests or diseases. Every garden, regardless of its size, has a spot for a Japanese Maple, and there is a candidate for every gardening budget. Lose your heart to one this fall. "garden, regardless of its size, has a spot for a Japanese Maple, and there is a candidate for every gardening budget. Lose your heart to one this fall.