What Is the Name of a Shrub That Has Crimson Red Leaves and Is Not Prickly?

Types

• The ornamental peach (Prunus persica) cultivar called Bonfire has crimson leaves through the growing season, but no thorns or prickles present on its branches. Two types of Japanese maple (Acer palmatum) hybrids, Shindeshojo and Red Select, have crimson foliage at some point before the leaves come off these shrubs.

Time Frame

• The Japanese maple cultivar Red Select has attractive reddish-purple leaves through the summer, but in the fall, the foliage changes to crimson red. Conversely, the Shindeshojo cultivar of Japanese maple has crimson red foliage early in the growing season before it turns green by summer.

Size and Uses

• The crimson foliage allows the use of these shrubs as specimen plants, as well as in shrub borders. Ornamental peach remains small enough at 6 feet high to serve both purposes. The taller Japanese maple cultivars, ranging between 6 and 10 feet, work as understory shrubs for growing in the shade or as container plants for patios. With no thorns present, landscapers place these shrubs in high traffic areas with no worries.