Japanese Maple ‘Ghost’ Series: 8 Rare Varieties to Know

Rare and highly sought after, the Japanese Maple ‘Ghost’ Series is a favourite among collectors. These hard-to-find maples are known for their incredible leaf patterns and dramatic colour changes throughout the seasons! Keep reading to learn more about each variety.

Incredible Patterns

Each leaf features reticulation, the sharp contrast between the veins and the rest of the leaf that creates the distinctive web-like pattern across the foliage.

Ever-Changing Colours

The Ghost Series is all about seasonal transformation. Colours can shift dramatically from spring to summer to fall, with some varieties seeming like three different trees throughout the year.

Hunters Garden Centre in Surrey currently has a selection of these rare Japanese Maples. Here are the eight varieties in stock to look for:

First Ghost

  • 10–12 feet tall in 15 years
  • Spring: Bright creamy white foliage with deep green veins and red-purple edges.
  • Summer: Light green foliage with dark green veins.
  • Fall: Bright golden yellow and orange.

Sister Ghost

  • 8–10 feet tall in 15 years
  • Spring: Bright white to cream foliage with dark green veins.
  • Summer: Chartreuse to green foliage with dark green veins.
  • Fall: Brilliant golden yellow with tones of orange and red.

Purple Ghost

  • 8–10 feet tall in 15 years
  • Spring: Striking deep lavender-purple foliage with bold black veins.
  • Summer: Deeper burgundy to rich red-purple foliage with bold black veins.
  • Fall: Garnet red and bright orange-red.

Amber Ghost

  • 8–10 feet tall in 15 years
  • Spring: Coral pink foliage with green veins.
  • Summer: Rich amber foliage with deep green veins.
  • Fall: Bright orange and fire red.

Baby Ghost

  • 6–8 feet tall in 15 years
  • Spring: Deep amber to red foliage with green veins.
  • Summer: Rich burgundy to deep red-purple foliage with muted green veins.
  • Fall: Blazing bright orange and red with muted green veins.

Grandma Ghost

  • 8–10 feet tall in 15 years
  • Spring: Bright creamy white foliage with deep green veins.
  • Summer: Elegant creamy white foliage with deep green veins.
  • Fall: Bright yellows, golds and fiery orange-reds.

Uncle Ghost

  • 6–8 feet tall in 15 years
  • Spring: Striking, highly saturated peach to vivid pink foliage with deep lime-green veins.
  • Summer: Elegant cream-coloured foliage with green veins.
  • Fall: Bright oranges and deep crimson reds.

Ghost Dancer

  • 6–8 feet tall in 15 years
  • Spring: Creamy white to silver-blue foliage tipped with red, with blue-green veins.
  • Summer: Ghostly light green foliage with blue-green veins.
  • Fall: Bright golden yellows, deep oranges and fiery reds.

Find the ‘Ghost’ Series at Hunters

These Japanese Maples are rare, hard to find and highly sought after by collectors. If you’re looking for one of the Ghost Series, visit Hunters Garden Centre in Surrey to see the current selection and their incredible foliage in person.

Get them before they’re gone!