Your "landscapers" are sorely misinformed. Pretty much anything can grow under a Japanese maple, as their root system does not have the same aggressive, water-guzzling, nutrient-hogging character that other, native maples display. And a hot, dry summer will require regular periodic irrigation of any JM for it to survive and thrive - these are not drought tolerant trees. My only concern when underplanting a taller growing JM is that you select plants that will not need frequent division to maintain them, as excessive cultivation in the root zone or any significant disturbance can damage the delicate root system, sometimes to fatal results. Selecting something to contrast with the dark red foliage is a good idea, like bboy's suggestion of blue leaved hostas. You could add Japanese painted ferns as well to pick up the coloring of both the hostas and the tree foliage. I like the contrast of gold tones myself, so golden leaved hostas, Japanese forest grass (Hakonechloa 'Aureola' or 'All Gold'), Campanula 'Dickson's Gold', spotted London Pride (Saxifraga x urbium 'Aureopunctata) or Lamium 'Anne Greenaway' or 'Aureum' and autumn fern are all suitable choices. Epimediums are an excellent choice as well, as is any moisture preferring, shade tolerant groundcover or part shade perennial that doesn't require frequent division. FWIW, my JM's are planted in the middle of mixed borders with an assortment of a wide variety of part shade shrubs, perennials/grasses and groundcovers surrounding them. So the notion that "nothing" will grow under them is very misplaced.

The zone issue is likely the reason that I have run into the problem of not being able to find these trees locally. There are only a hand full of JM's that can be found locally. It is quite difficult to find any JM much over about 3'. The big box green house steins has a couple larger ones, but not much larger and the larger JM's are green leaf. I'd have a real hard time finding more that about 3 varieties total of JM's locally, all in small sizes. I was going to mail order one of the other varieties like Twombly's, but that limits the size quite a bit. Despite the zone, however, I see many JM's that have been planted in my area for many years that seem to do just fine. So I don't worry too much about planting them. I know paperbark is hardy here, and I did consider it, again for some reason, I can't find it locally. I may have to search some nurseries out of the area more, but in the state. I found it available for mail order from some out of state nurseries. Which I think would do just find if I had it shipped when dormant. I will have to look at the Beech. I think I have seen them on the list of trees that a local nursery carries, but can't think of what they look like. Thanks Jamie

That is quite a nice tree! I agree with the pruning and I would not move it, dig it up, or other... I'm relatively new to Japanese Maples, so I'm not really comfortable directing you on specific pruning methods, however, much advice can be found online. One approach would be to find a picture of one you really like and shape your tree similarly. Remember that MAJOR pruning should be done over a couple of years so as not to shock the tree... Any idea how old that one is?

Have no idea where you are located so very difficult to make any meaningful suggestions - what may work well in one part of the country may not work well in another. You should also be aware that Japanese maples have a very delicate surface-oriented root system that resents dsturbance. In fact you can activate or even introduce some pretty serious soil pathogens that could take out your tree if you damage the roots. So any underplanting should be something that can be left undisturbed.....like a spreading groundcover. Planting beyond the canopy/dripline is a bit more flexible but you still need to be careful and avoid excessive cultivation. And whatever plants you choose should fit the sun conditions and water requirements. It's hard to reconcile combining a full sun, drought tolerant plant like the blue fescue with a moisture and shade loving fern.........