I meant tough not touch. I even checked it over but missed it.

IMO:

The best red is Emperor One. "The red maple by which all other red maples should be judged".

The best yellow is Orange Dream. "The best cultivar to come on the market within the past ten years."

I have both. The red can take full sun in my 6B. The yellow needs afternoon shade.

The only problem is that they max out way past eight feet, so I guess that my answer really doesn't help you.

I do have Shaina, which is a red. It stays small and has bright, almost flourescent like, red new leaves. It needs afternoon shade.

My favorite red is Acer Palmatum 'Red Dragon... it says a deep red all summer than turns a bright red during fall. Since it's a weeping maple, it shouldn't get taller than 8'.

Would I be better posting in another section or would here be just as good because all of you people are so great with your stuff.

==>>> we have a good active group here..

and peeps with a wide range of things mixing with the conifers ..

so NEVER feel like you need to explain ... nor go other places.. unless we fail somehow.. NOT!!!

ken

I have about 150 varieties, but I don't know which classify as tough. I can attest to the colors of certain cultivars and the general growth rates. I can post some photos if you're interest or the maple forum is too dead.

-Will

Do you have some photos already posted? I hate to waste your time.

I like the look of the orange dream. I have a great place for it. Where is a good vendor with larger plants? Any recommendations? Thanks.

I have used Eastfork Nursery before (see link) They offer 'Orange Dream' in 1, 2 & 3 gal sizes.

Here is a link that might be useful: Eastfork

By far the toughest red in the 4-6' range I have ever seen is Crimson Queen. It even takes pretty full sun here in my 7A in Oklahoma.

mark

You might go to http://www.davidsansjapanesemaples.com . They have an application that helps select JMs based on winter hardiness, sun exposure, height, etc. 'Red Dragon' is an excellent JM for zone 5 and full sun. A yellow you might consider would be Acer shir. 'Jordan'.

Actually, I have more needs than just the 4-8' plant. Any suggestions for heat tolerant maples that get larger also. Ones the size of orange dream would be great or even larger. Thanks again.

If you want an upright tree there are several red witches brooms that would meet your requirements. Shaina (easy to find) Carlis Corner and Aratama are all in full sun in my garden and tough as nails. That bright red color realy sets off the conifers.
Jim

If you are looking for maples that have the look and feel of Japanese maples you might try some of the Acer shirasawanum as mentioned above. I have 'Autumn Moon' and 'Jordan'; both seem to be more tolerant of sun and wind than many of the palmatums. Also, rather counterintuitively (to me at least), the dissectums in general do better in full sun than solid-leafed varieties. I have a 'Pung Kil' in full sun (and we're dry in summer, not humid) and it doesn't scorch.

Here is a link that might be useful: Form and Foliage

I would suggest palmatum 'Summer Gold' as a sun tolerant yellow-leafed form. Its early spring leaves are not as nice as 'Orange Dream' or 'Katsura' or shirasawanum 'Jordan', but by this time of year, the color is fantastic. I have mine in full sun, all day in SE Iowa and it has faired well.

photos from April 2012

leaf close up

Keith

I highly recommend Acer Shirasawanum 'Moonrise'. I have mine positioned in almost full sun and does great in zone 5a. I bought mine from Davidson's Japanese Maples. Here are a couple of pics-Ryan

Last year. Turns yellow in june