Japanese maple Acer 'Ukigumo' cream - Hardy plantWhite and pink speckles. The Japanese maple 'Ukigomo' (Acer palmatum) is a must have! The cheerfully decorated leaves are green with white and pink speckles. What a summery sight! The plant is a perennial. This means you can enjoy the bright coloured leaves of the maple again next year! Prune it in winter. Then remove dead or protruding branches. Plant the Acer somewhere in partial shade. Water the plant sparingly. Water it more during dry periods.