Does anyone know of a good nursery for Japanese maples within about 20 miles of Amersham, Bucks? I am looking for the cultivar Chitoseyama, and I don't want to order it by mail order as I want to be able to choose one with a good shape, with a view to possibly growing it as a bonsai. In any case it will be planted in a pot, whether big or small.
Thanks
Deborah

They advertise it at the Wisley RHS garden centre attached to Wisley RHS gardens - they have a large range of Japanese maples there. On the A3 about 2 miles from the M25, well signed. A bit more than 20 miles, but when the M25 is running freely, it only takes about 35 mins from Amersham. I advise getting there early in the morning.

One of the big nurseries on the A40 in Denham - I forget its name but it is the one next door to and on the further side of Tendercare (if you are coming from Amersham via the Chalfonts, then go past them and do a U-turn at the A40/M40 multi-roundabout - then heading back on yourself in a few hundred yards turn left into a little side road, and the one I am talking about is immediately on the left, with Tendercare on the other side of the road) does quite a few Jap maples, though in general nothing special and I can't say they have the specific one you are looking for. They are often (but not always) cheaper than garden centres, so they are worth a look-in if you are passing.

I hope you are in a part of Amersham that isn't on the chalk, or it won't grow very well.