Few trees offer as much character and four-season beauty as the Japanese Maple (Acer palmatum). These elegant ornamentals bring sculptural form, bold foliage color, and a touch of serenity to any landscape. Whether you have a shady courtyard, sunny front yard, or patio container, there’s a Japanese Maple that fits beautifully.

Japanese Maples are beloved for their:

• Four-season interest: Bright spring growth, lush summer color, vivid fall foliage, and elegant winter structure.
  
  
• Versatility: Thrive in the garden, along borders, or in decorative containers.
  
  
• Manageable size: Most mature between 6 and 25 feet, perfect for small gardens and patios.
  
  
• Graceful shapes: From upright and stately to weeping and cascading.

Each variety has its own personality. Here are some of our favorites you’ll find at Brownswood Nursery:

Japanese Maples work beautifully as focal points, but they also enhance garden compositions.
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Here are a few ideas to inspire you:
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• Add structure and balance with upright varieties near patios, walkways, or entryways.
  
  
• Create contrast by pairing red-leafed maples with evergreens, variegated hostas, or even colorful annual flowers.
  
  
• Go with flow - plant a weeping type like ‘Tamukeyama’ beside rocks, streams, or ponds for a natural, serene effect.
  
  
• Think container gardens: Smaller forms thrive in pots and can move with the seasons to highlight different spaces.

Japanese Maples are stunning on their own - but they really shine when paired with complementary textures and colors. Try combining them with:

Non-Invasive Clumping Bamboo
Not surprisingly, the delicate and airy texture of bamboo pairs very well with the elegance of Japanese Maples - especially those with red or purple leaves.

Azaleas
Their spring blooms and evergreen foliage provide contrast beneath Japanese Maples.

Hydrangeas
Lush summer blooms pair beautifully with the maple’s refined foliage.

Hostas & Ferns
Perfect companions in shady gardens, adding layers of texture and cool tones.

Evergreens (like Boxwood or Cryptomeria)
Provide year-round structure and a deep green backdrop that makes maple foliage pop.

Ornamental Grasses
Their movement and fine texture balance the maple’s structure for a natural, serene look.

Every beautiful garden starts with a plan - and we make the process fun and easy.
Whether you’re working on a cozy courtyard or a full landscape makeover, we have a service to fit your project size and style.

Visit our garden center to explore these stunning varieties (and more!) in person.
 
From containers to garden centerpieces, Japanese Maples are the ultimate ornamental tree for color, character, and year-round beauty.

There’s something magical about a garden that comes alive under the moonlight. By layering flowers and foliage in pale hues - whites, silvers, and soft pastels - you can create a captivating evening retreat that glows after the sun sets. These “moonlight gardens” are designed to shimmer in the soft light of the moon while filling the night air with fragrance, turning your outdoor space into a peaceful sanctuary.

At Brownswood Nursery's Garden Center, we currently have a wide selection of plants that sparkle in the evening glow: from shimmering choices like Aztec Grass and Dusty Miller, to fragrant bloomers such as Gardenias and Bolero™ Roses, to soft perennials like White Plumbago and Variegated Flax Lily.

​When creating a moonlight garden in a sunny location, choose plants that love the light and reward you with flowers and foliage that reflect and glow. These sun-loving varieties are perfect for planting in open beds or borders where they will receive direct sunlight for much of the day.

Shade gardens can be every bit as enchanting when planted with varieties that shimmer and stand out in lower light. By mixing glossy leaves, fragrant blooms, and variegated or silver foliage, you can create a garden that glows softly even under tree canopies or beside shaded patios.

Ready to start your own moonlight retreat? Visit us at Brownswood Nursery's Garden Center to explore these plants in person and get expert advice. With the right combination of blooms and foliage, you can create an enchanting garden that glows long after sunset.

Ornamental grasses bring movement, texture, and quiet sophistication to landscapes. Their swaying forms soften hardscapes, fill bare spaces, and provide year-round visual interest with minimal maintenance. From fine, airy plumes to bold architectural clumps, grasses are as versatile as they are timeless.
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Below, we highlight some of the most beloved ornamental grasses for southeastern landscapes, each offering unique beauty and practical advantages.

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Ornamental grasses are unmatched in their ability to deliver movement, structure, and subtle elegance. Whether choosing natives like Pink Muhly Grass, Switchgrass, and Purple Lovegrass for ecological value, or evergreens like Lomandra and Liriope for year-round dependability, these plants prove that understated beauty can make the strongest impact.