Acer palmatum 'Purple Ghost'

Purple Ghost is my second favorite of the Ghost Series - Sister Ghost is still my number one. I love the lacy look to the leaves. My Purple Ghost is 14' tall and I had to limb it up to walk under. I miss the look of the leaves when it is small and you can see them straight on rather than having to look up. My Purple Ghost is prolific with thousands of samaras each year and looking at the flowers this year will not be an exception. Here is an old photo from 2017 when Talon Buchholz, the creator of the Ghost Series visited and commented that my Purple Ghost was the biggest he had seen. Of course we had to take a photo standing underneath.

 

Good evening Sam, what a photo and to have a bigger Purple ghost than the man himself. Quite a feat.

 

9th May 2021 and my Purple ghost with rain drops, is just wonderful to see IMO.

 

19th May 2021 and my Purple ghost is really enjoying this rain. So am I tbh.

 

7th June 2021 and as usual my Purple ghost is gradually losing it's reticulation for the Summer.

 

Finally got my Purple Ghost, mainly thanks to everyone else's gorgeous pics!

 

Over the years we all make a purchase that later on we think Why !!! But Purple ghost 'never ever' falls into those thoughts. It's looking lovely Xi.
If I can just mention that although it is a deep red, it does require more shade than sun, unlike other dark red maples.

D

 

Very well said, and I'm so excited to have this little guy in my collection at last! Thank you for the tips on lighting - I'll pop out around noon and see where the shadow-line falls (and make sure it's on the right side of it!)

 

Your maples have the perfect mum.

 

19th June 2021 and sometimes it's what is accompanying a Purple ghost that sets it off a little better. Here is mine with my Zantedeschia aethiopica Arum Lily.

 

Got this little guy tucked in next to a Jordan and under my big Osakazuki, so I'm hoping he's well-shaded where he is while still getting some sun for colour. We'll see!

 

Perfect colour accompaniment Xi.

 

Close-up of foliage as it settles into position:

 

A very moody looking purple ghost Xi.

 

Purple Ghost, looking rather lovely in front of that flowering Hebe.

 

Not a combination that would initially come to mind N, but it really works.

 

7th July 2021 and lots and lots of rain on my Purple ghost.

 

19th July 2021 and what a difference in the weather from 7 days ago and floods. But my Purple ghost goes on as if nothing has happened, putting out new growth everywhere.

 

Close-up of Purple Ghost in August:

 

Looking good Xi, I'm thinking about moving mine over the winter as it hasn't done well in the recent heat.

 

Oh no N, that's a shame - yours is so big and healthy-looking in the last photos you posted at the start of July! Hope you can find a place where it's happy (and that it's easy to move - can't tell if it's potted or in-ground?) I'm sure it'll bounce back next year, so fingers crossed!

 

It's in the ground so I'll have to wait, but fortunately I do have a more sheltered spot where it could go. All was well until the temperature went above 30 the other week, shame really as I thought it was going to be fine where it was but in reality I did know it doesn't like full sun.

 

Ahh yes, it does look like it might appreciate a change of scenery, doesn't it? Hope all goes well with the relocation over the winter, and please do post pics next Spring as it acclimatises!

 

My potted purple ghost from today , looking very purple this year for sure. My larger ground one is also well coloured out this year as well.

 

Purple Ghost is one of the few trees in my garden putting some effort in for autumn so far: