Hello and welcome to GoY. Not sure what pics you've been looking at, but Acers are quite a large group of trees, some of which get large, such as Acer griseum and sycamore. Probably the ones you're thinking of are the Japanese Acer palmatum varieties, which often have coloured leaves (yellow, red, etc). Some have very finely dissected leaves, others just have palmate leaves - palmatum varieties prefer dappled shade, in a position out of wind and strong sun, because they're woodland plants really.

Thank you yes it's the Japanese acer lol as I say I'm clueless

No, you're not clueless - you just don't know much about them yet, we've all got to start somewhere. Anything else you wanted to know? Maybe its time to Google Acer palmatum and see what comes up - if you click on Images on the left of the page when it does come up, there should be lots of pics of them - hover on them and it should tell you what they're called.

Yes it's all a matter of personal taste when it comes to leaf shape and colour. And as has already been said they don't like being baked in the summer and in the winter they don't mind the cold but a cold windy spot they do not like. But I will just mention one variety because it is the one that goes the firiest of the reds in autumn and that is Acer Osakasuki.

There is a huge number of acers to choose from and it can be quite confusing,i grow many and to be honest the best forms are some of the more commonly available varieties.

Try googling Atropurpureum,Crimson Queen or Bloodgood for good red forms and filligree or virides for good green forms.For something a bit less common try acer shirasawanum aureum which is stunning.

Thanks for asking Denise, I love Acers too on my wish list, have added this to goypedia, there is a bit for Acers trees on there, with some great pix x have u seen sambucus black lace yet? Gorgeous burgundy Acer like tree/shrub with candy floss pink flowers.... First thing I am putting in my front bed after the revamp I think x