We came across Hibiscus acetosella 'Mahogany Splendor' yesterday. The other time we saw this maple imposter was in the more tropical climate of the Bahamas. The leaf is strikingly similar to a maple, but it’s an annual here in our climate. Although it's not a maple, this Hibiscus sure looks like a maple to the average person based on foliage shape and color. This plant makes a great multi-stem vertical accent in a container, where burgundy maple like foliage is needed, but you may not be willing to use or sacrifice a Japanese maple due to the site conditions or companion plantings.
One of the local feed stores carries this hibiscus as well, very, very pretty; too bad it's an annual in our climate (zone 6b). I may have top pick one up next year... I came across my beauty, again with the maple-type leaves, at a nursery in one of the small towns just outside the city; the cultivar is 'Haight Ashbury', and it is stunning - and a VERY vigorous grower. Went from a 2" pot and maybe 12" tall the beginning of August (when I bought it) to an 8" azalea pot. Within a month, it had completely filled the new pot with roots and was over 3' tall. I've cut it back significantly, repotted it into a different pot (with significant root pruning of course), and plan to bring it in for the winter. Hopefully it will survive, and though I know this cultivar is grown more for it's foliage, I am hoping it might flower one day...
