Suggestions for companion plants/underplanting for Japanese Maple 'Bloodgood'? Southern exposure, but gets stippled shade. Trying to decide between...

Southern exposure, but gets stippled shade. Trying to decide between companion plants that are "blue" - spruce, catmint, etc. or chartreuse - hosta, creeping jenny, etc.

Any thoughts? This is for a front landscape. Thank you! Oh, Zone 5. :)

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I own a Japanese maple in my front grassland right now, it's a nice contrast to the other neighbors who hold green trees.

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a good look is Hakone grass... Japanese Forest grass.

http://images.google.com/images?hl=en&rl...

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Answers:    Thank you, my friend. I have be waiting for someone to ask me this question for over twenty five years.
In a garden fundamental where I lived at the time, within was a stunning A.P. "Bloodgood" and next to it the owner planted Rhododendron "Bow Bells". The combination of the brooding maroon contemporary foliage and the clear pink blossoms absolutely knock my socks off and I sigh over the memory of it still. Also, the strange foliage of "Bow Bells" is slightly coppery, creating even more interest.

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