Ornamental trees

Ornamental trees make a lasting visual impact inside or outside the home, an impact so memorable that they may well become the signature impression guests take away with them. When selecting an ornamental tree, it is important to choose proven, reliable varieties. Serenata offers only the best ornamental trees.

Known throughout the world as the Japanese Maple, Acer palmatum is a deciduous tree, characterized by leaves with five, seven or nine acutely-lobed leaves. Japanese Maples are especially prized for their attractive colours, their delicately-shaped leaves and for their compact habit, which develops into a beautifully-domed canopy when mature.

Cultivated in Japan for centuries, the first specimen of Japanese Maple reached England in 1820. "Palmatum" refers to the hand-like shape of the leaves, and was named by Swedish botanist Carl Peter Thunberg, who travelled in Japan during the late 1700s.

There are numerous varieties of Japanese Maple ornamental trees. Acer palmatum "Butterfly" features small deeply-lobed green leaves with silver edges, which develop hints of rose during the summer and turns to a vibrant red in the autumn.

Acer palmatum "Katsura" features ever-changing foliage colour, emerging yellow in the spring, turning to chartreuse in the summer and changing to brilliant orange in the fall. The beauty of Katsura continues into the winter, with its rough grey back and deep purple branches providing a striking silhouette.

Acer palmatum "Atropupureum," sometimes marketed as "Bloodgood," is perhaps the most popular of the Japanese Maples, admired for both its foliage and its graceful, weeping habit. The leaves sprout deep purple in the spring, then turn to a rich burgundy colour which lasts all summer, turning to scarlet red in the fall.

Ornamental trees make excellent container specimens which can be brought indoors at various times throughout the year for a stunning accent to home décor.