Growth Rate
Slow
Moderate
Fast
Moderate
Moderate growth reported by Buchholz Nursery.
PUNGO MAPLES
Virginia Beach Japanese Maple Nursery
Firefly
Acer palmatum
● Sold Out
Cultivar Description & Characteristics
Firefly is a vibrant upright cultivar known for its bright, glowing chartreuse-yellow spring foliage that radiates in shaded garden spots. The leaves maintain their lively yellow-green coloration throughout the summer months without easily burning in normal sun exposures. As autumn approaches, the foliage transforms into warm shades of orange and bright gold. It is an ideal specimen for brightening up dim, sheltered woodland borders.
10-Yr Height
8.0
10-Yr Width
6.0
Seasonal Foliage Spectrum
Spring: Chartreuse
Summer: Yellow-Green
Fall: Gold and Orange
Sun Tolerance Ratings
Morning Sun
9 / 10
Afternoon Sun
6 / 10
☀️ Morning Sun Guidance:
Radiates brightly in shaded woodland spots with its chartreuse-yellow spring foliage.
☀️ Afternoon Sun Guidance:
Tolerates normal exposure well, though afternoon shade protects its bright tone.
Image highlights cultivar traits and is not exact photo of available stock. Image is property of Pungo Maples, unauthorized use prohibited.
Get to know your maple
Growth Habit & Size
Upright
Fairly upright branching, with less spread than many other reticulated maples.
What do these growth habit terms mean?
More than one term can apply. Branch direction, crown shape and size describe different characteristics, and the outline can change as a tree matures.
- Upright
- Main stems and branches emphasize upward growth. An upright tree can still develop a broad canopy.
- Spreading
- Branches extend outward to form a broad canopy. The tree does not have to be wider than it is tall.
- Weeping
- Branches or branchlets arch or hang downward. The tree can still have an upright trunk.
- Rounded
- The crown has a rounded outline. This describes the overall shape rather than the direction of each branch.
- Dwarf
- A cultivar with a smaller natural stature than typical forms of its species. Dwarf describes size, not branch direction or a fixed height limit; it does not automatically mean slow growth.
For example: Bloodgood can grow upright while developing a broad, rounded canopy with spreading branches.
Learn more: NC State plant forms · Bloodgood profile · RHS trees for smaller gardens
Roots & heritage
The story behind Firefly
- Discovered / selected by
- Paul Holden
- Collection
- Harstein Island Nursery (reported)
Acer palmatum 'Firefly' is a reticulated Japanese maple selection attributed by Maplestone Ornamentals to Paul Holden of Harstein Island Nursery. The nursery identifies Holden as its discoverer but does not provide a selection date, precise discovery location, parentage, or first commercial introduction year. Accordingly, the discovery attribution should not be confused with a documented introduction date. 'Firefly' is prized for its striking spring foliage, which combines pink, rose, and peach tones with contrasting lime-green veins. During summer, the leaves become greener while retaining some rose coloration, followed by red autumn foliage. Its growth habit is upright, with specialist nurseries estimating approximately eight feet of height after ten years. The original seed parent, pollen parent, and any controlled hybridization remain undocumented. No cultivar-specific United States plant patent or registered trademark was established from the available research.
Explore the sources behind this story
Maplestone Ornamentals - Firefly, Paul Holden discovery attribution and cultivar characteristicsBuchholz Nursery - Acer palmatum Firefly cultivar descriptionOregon State University - Acer palmatum botanical and horticultural backgroundUSPTO - Official Patent Public Search; cultivar-specific patent not establishedUSPTO - Official Trademark Search; cultivar-specific registration not established
📊 Inventory and Pricing
● Live Data
Pungo Maples Onsite Inventory
| Size | Price | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 1 Gallon | $50.00 | SOLD |
