Acer palmatum 'Grandma Ghost' Japanese Maple

Acer palmatum ‘Grandma Ghost’ is a rare and captivating reticulated Japanese maple from the Ghost Series, prized for its luminous creamy foliage and striking dark veining. The leaves emerge intricately overlaid with deep green reticulated veins, creating an elegant, almost hand-painted appearance. As the season progresses, the foliage develops warmer green, pink, and rose-blushed tones while the contrasting veining remains an important feature. In autumn, ‘Grandma Ghost’ transforms into brilliant shades of orange and vivid crimson red. With an eventual size of approximately 8–10 ft tall and wide, this slow-growing cultivar makes an exceptional specimen for collectors and shaded garden settings

Growth Habit: Upright and gracefully branching, developing into a rounded to broad small tree with age
10-Year Size: Approximately 8 ft tall and 4–6 ft wide; mature plants can reach approximately 8–10 ft tall and wide
Growth Rate: Slow
Foliage: Bright foliage with intricate deep green reticulated veins; foliage can develop gray-green, rose, and pink tones as the season progresses
Fall Color: Brilliant orange to vivid crimson red
Origin: Rare Ghost Series selection originating from open-pollinated seedlings at Buchholz Nursery in Gaston, Oregon
Light: Morning sun to partial shade; protection from hot afternoon sun is recommended to preserve the reticulated variegation and delicate foliage
Soil: Moist, well-drained soil rich in organic matter
Hardiness: Zones 5–9
Best Uses: Collector gardens, Japanese gardens, woodland gardens, specimen plantings, shaded borders, and focal-point landscapes
Best Feature: Bright creamy foliage dramatically contrasted by intricate deep green reticulated veins
Garden Interest: Provides exceptional spring and summer foliage interest before developing brilliant orange and crimson-red fall color; it is also noted for retaining its fall display relatively late in the season
Why You'll Love It: ‘Grandma Ghost’ is an elegant and highly collectible Ghost Series Japanese maple that combines luminous creamy foliage, intricate dark-green veining, subtle rose and pink seasonal tones, and brilliant orange-to-crimson fall color into one exceptionally refined specimen.