Acer palmatum 'Anne-Irene' Japanese Maple

'Anne-Irene' produces deeply lobed, heavily divided palmate leaves that emerge in early spring with pinkish-purple to red frilly margins surrounding bright yellow tissue; the colored border gradually fades to cream as foliage matures, creating an exceptionally ruffled texture distinct from its parent. Fall color transitions through pink-red to deep maroon, with the cream-bordered areas taking on soft off-pink tones. This cultivar grows as a narrow, upright small tree reaching approximately 9-10 feet tall within 10 years, with a growth habit that branches more vertically than spreading. Named by Dick Vandermat and discovered as a variegated sport on 'Summer Gold', 'Anne-Irene' inherits exceptional heat tolerance and sun durability from its parent, performing reliably in full direct sunlight even in zone 8 conditions, an unusual trait for variegated Japanese maples. The bright yellow foliage pairs well with a wide range of companion plants, from deep maroon cultivars to pink-leafed selections.