Acer palmatum 'Sister Ghost' Japanese Maple

Acer palmatum ‘Sister Ghost’ is a rare and highly distinctive reticulated Japanese maple from the Ghost Series, prized for its luminous spring foliage, prominent dark veining, and deeply divided, delicately serrated leaves. The leaves emerge in soft white to pale yellow-green shades, often touched with a rosy-pink blush, while the contrasting green veins create an intricate netted pattern across the foliage. As the season progresses, the foliage transitions toward light green while retaining traces of its characteristic variegation. In autumn, ‘Sister Ghost’ develops glowing golden-yellow color, often enhanced with orange and occasional red highlights. With a graceful, spreading habit and an expected 10-year size of approximately 5–6 ft tall and 6–8 ft wide, it is an exceptional choice for collectors looking for a refined Ghost Series maple with an especially elegant foliage display. 

Growth Habit: Upright to broad and gracefully spreading, often growing wider than tall
10-Year Size: Approximately 5–6 ft tall and 6–8 ft wide
Growth Rate: Slow to moderate
Foliage: Deeply divided and serrated reticulated foliage emerging white to pale yellow-green with prominent dark green veins and occasional soft pink coloration on new growth
Fall Color: Bright golden yellow, often with orange and occasional red highlights
Origin: Rare Ghost Series selection discovered and introduced by Talon Buchholz of Buchholz Nursery in Oregon; closely related to the reticulated ‘Shigitatsu sawa’ group 
Light: Morning sun to partial shade; protection from hot afternoon sun is recommended to help preserve the delicate foliage and minimize leaf scorch. 
Soil: Moist, well-drained soil rich in organic matter
Hardiness: Zones 5–9 
Best Uses: Collector gardens, Japanese gardens, woodland gardens, specimen plantings, containers, and focal-point landscapes
Best Feature: Luminous white-to-pale-green foliage dramatically contrasted by deep green reticulated veining and finely serrated leaf edges
Garden Interest: Provides exceptional spring foliage interest, develops softer green tones through summer, and finishes the season with glowing golden-yellow to orange fall color
Why You'll Love It: ‘Sister Ghost’ is one of the most distinctive members of the Ghost Series, combining almost white spring foliage, intricate dark-green veining, deeply serrated leaves, and brilliant golden autumn color into an elegant and highly collectible Japanese maple.