Acer palmatum 'Snow Kitten' Japanese Maple

'Snow Kitten' is a dwarf, slow-growing variegated cultivar of Acer palmatum, originating as a sport from 'Mikawa yatsubusa'. Its new growth displays distinctive white and pink variegation with speckled patterning, intensifying with light pruning and responding poorly to high nitrogen fertilization; even the new bark can appear whitish on vigorous shoots. The plant reaches approximately 1.5-2 feet in height over many years in the landscape, displaying compact, dense branching and orange-red fall color tinged with pink on the variegated portions. According to the growers at Mr Maple, the cultivar originated when conifer expert Larry Stanley discovered a variegated sport protruding from a collapsed greenhouse in New Zealand; Fred Hooks helped bring it into production, initially circulating it under the name Elmer before 'Snow Kitten' became the accepted name. This cultivar demands excellent drainage and low nitrogen inputs, thriving best in containers or slightly elevated planting sites where moisture can be carefully managed; it is not suited to wet or boggy conditions and benefits from mid to late spring pruning to enhance both variegation and vigor.