Fall is for tree planting. The warm soils and cool, rainy days create perfect conditions for tree roots to grow before the cold days of winter. Japanese maple is a favorite specimen tree of many gardeners, and now comes a new selection that features tri-colored leaves.

'Gwen's Rose Delight' Japanese maple (Acer palmatum 'Shirazz') grows 15 to 20 feet tall and 10 feet wide at maturity with a weeping habit. The heat-resistant, deeply cut foliage unfurls in spring, featuring crimson-pink leaves and white margins. The color holds well in summer. In fall the leaves turn a brilliant crimson. 'Gwen's Rose Delight' grows best in full sun on well drained soil and is hardy in USDA zones 5 to 9.

For more information on this new Japanese maple variety, go to: Willoway Nursery.