Variegation in Japanese maples varies from the barely discernable to the nearly outlandish. There are two general types. In the first, whole sections leaf, or even whole leaves, are pink, white, or yellow. In the other type, called "sand-flecked", tiny dots of the off-color are scattered throughout the leaf, somtimes connecting and forming patches, sometimes not. In general, variegates need shade from afternoon sun, to prevent the light-colored portions of the leaf from burning. The above-pictured 'Uki gumo' is an exception to this, as is the popular 'Butterfly'.

Click on a cultivar name for full discriptions and photos.