Acer palmatum Bihou

‘Bihou’ is a relatively new cultivar introduced from Japan with four seasons of interest.  Red buds open to pink-flushed chartreuse in spring, changing to yellow-green for summer.  Fall colors are bright egg-yolk yellow.  The wow-factor occurs in winter when all leaves have dropped leaving its yellow bark to glow.  ‘Bihou’ has a more dramatic effect paired next to a red-branched maple such as Sango kaku or Beni kawa.  Its name means “beautiful mountain range”.  ‘Bihou’ is sometimes spelled ‘Bi ho’.