Acer palmatum 'Sango-kaku' (its Japanese name means "Coral Tower", formerly Acer 'senkaki'), is one of the coral bark maples and is one of our favourite Japanese maples since it gives interest and beauty in all seasons of the year and is relatively slow growing. We have several of these lovely, hardy maples and most of them have been planted in a semi-sheltered position with high exposure to sun. They have ascending branches and have progressed, with careful pruning, from shrub size to small tree size. The attractive bright coral-red of the young branches is particularly visible during winter and early spring. In spring the small, deeply cut palmate leaves open bright yellow-green edged with red. Also in spring there are inconspicuous small, reddish flowers. The leaves becomes mid-green in summer edged with red and with areas of yellow and gold foliage at the top of the trees where there is more exposure to sunlight. In mid autumn all the leaves become ablaze with glorious yellow or gold as in this photo. English garden for all seasons. Winner "Overall Gardener of the Year" Garden News National Garden Competition 2010. Winner Daily Mail National Garden Competition 2007. www.fourseasonsgarden.co.uk