Why not try our standard plants, where the beautiful head of foliage sits atop of clear stem approximately 40cm in height, supplied in a 3 litre pot. shirasawanum Aureum - Height 4-8m; spread 4-8m. HP - Hardy perennial. Acers are a wonderful family of deciduous trees and shrubs which put on a show-stopping display with their beautiful foliage, graceful habits and autumn colours. Plus they're usually quite slow-growing, making them an ideal choice for a container on the patio as well as in the garden.