Acer palmatum 'Mila' Japanese Maple

'Mila' is a vigorous Japanese maple with exceptional four-season ornamental interest. Spring foliage emerges in dark red tones with yellow eyes, gradually developing olive-green leaves overlaid with successive red and yellow flushes through summer; autumn color shifts to orange-red, and even winter growth displays red-tinted stems. The cultivar develops an upright, narrowly columnar habit, typically reaching 9-12 feet tall within 10 years, and proves reliable and low-maintenance across zones 5-9. According to Gardening With Maples, 'Mila' holds its spring color well into summer, responds favorably to morning sun with afternoon shade, and tolerates spring freezing without leaf burn; it performs best in well-drained soil, particularly when planted slightly above grade in clay-heavy landscapes.