Beautiful five-to-nine-lobed leaves emerge early. The plant grows 10 feet in height with a spread exceeding its height, and it is highly admired for its wonderful horizontal branches. Use the Japanese maple as a specimen plant. May and June bring small reddish-purple flowers. The samaras, or winged fruits, mature in fall and turn a rich red. This is a cut-leaf or lace leaf variety of Japanese maple. Its foliage emerges deep purple, maturing to purple red and turning a bright red in the fall. This lovely small tree, native to the Far East, can be grown only in very protected areas if you live in Zone 5. It is an exceptional small ornamental maple.