Acer palmatum 'Brocade' Dwarf Japanese Maple

'Brocade' is a laceleaf Japanese maple with a strongly pendulous habit and exceptional seasonal color variation. Spring foliage emerges electric orange-red, deepening to dark red-burgundy with dark emerald-green undertones before shifting to red-green in summer, with repeated flushes of bright new growth extending the display through the growing season; fall color transitions to bright orange infused with red. The cultivar's defining characteristic is its steeply cascading branches that arch straight downward rather than spreading outward, creating an elegant skirt of foliage at the base. According to the growers at Mr Maple, 'Brocade' matures to 4-5 feet tall and 7-8 feet wide over ten years when staked, though it can be grown as a ground-covering mound reaching only 1-1.5 feet tall and 6 feet wide if left unsupported. The tree tolerates full sun and performs well in zones 5-8; in zone 9, afternoon shade is beneficial. Planting on well-draining slopes is essential to prevent waterlogging at the roots. Staking during establishment is recommended to achieve the dramatic cascading form for which this classic cultivar is prized.