I got my Leea Tree earlier in the Spring to fill a difficult shaded spot in the garden and I just love it , its a member of the holly family and even gets little berries. It's been the best carefree plant in my garden all summer. It gets water a few times a week lightly and there hasn't been a bother on it. So if you are in need something large to fill a difficult shaded spot this is wonderful option
http://davesgarden.com/pf/search.php?search_text=leea&Search=Search
Leea coccinea
Picture of the berries
The new growth has a cool metalic sheen to it.
I found one this summer also and just love it. Mine is tucked under a Sango Kaku Japanese Maple and I think the deep burgandy leaves peeking thought the yellow green of the maple is a terrific combination.
Mine is still in a pot as I suspect I will have to winter the Leea indoors, at least on some nights.
Sounds great, I love the look of maple but they don't do well here, This one to me has the same lightness as a maple and it has some movement in the breeze which i like. I always have a hard time trying to get something large for shaded areas. So you cana understan my delight with this one. Have you had berries yet. Im going to try some cuttings, I'm sure it'll do well for trades.
No berries here yet but I did see them on other plants at the nursery. It is almost too hot here for the Japanese maples. I am really below the border got them but Sango Kaku is one that will withstand the heat, humidity and salt air.
I wonder if it would cope this far south, probably not. Do they need a winter to go dormant.
Mine never went dormant last year. The leaves sort of fell off from old age and new ones grew. Not sure it would make it in the Keys but as JM's go, this one is quite inexpensive. You might want to gamble and see what happens. The common name is Coral Bark Maple because the new growth is a bright coral color.