Acer palmatum 'Verna Jean' Japanese Maple

'Verna Jean' is a narrowly columnar Japanese maple reaching 6-8 feet tall and 3-4 feet wide at maturity, making it well-suited to confined spaces and vertical accent plantings. The palmate leaves emerge cherry red in spring, shift to maroon tones through summer, and intensify to bright red in autumn. According to the growers at Mr Maple, this cultivar was discovered by Vernigene Nurseries in Oregon and displays an extreme witch's-broom-like habit with notably shortened center nodes throughout the foliage, creating a tight, dense form. Its narrow silhouette adds vertical interest without blocking views or casting heavy shade, making it ideal for placement against walls, along walkways, or in small gardens where companion plantings benefit from additional light.