Japanese Maples MenuTypes, color, pruning and more
Japanese maple trees can provide a striking focal point , be the perfect plant to set off a large container , or grow into an telling bonsai specimen . There are hundreds of Japanese maple varieties that add up in various size with a large assortment of leafage shapes and coloring that range from shades of leafy vegetable to orange , red , purple , and variegated .
On this pageboy : The Basics|Planting|Care & Pruning|Pictures|Design Ideas|FAQs
THE BASICS
Acer palmatum . exposure by : Philip Bird | Dreamstime .
Zones:
by and large , zones 5 - 8 . Heat is a consideration , especially in the southward , not necessarily for the health of the maple but for its effect on foliage color , cause many purple or carmine - leaved variety to “ go green ” in the summertime . They typically leaf out betimes in the time of year and a tardy cold-blooded breeze can cause serious equipment casualty even to mature specimens .
Height/Spread:
assortment from 8 to 30 feet marvelous and spacious .
Exposure:
Providing the right amount of light can be a balancing act . Too much light can damage delicate leaves . Too little light , and some of the more colorful potpourri will take on a light-green tone — still attractive , but not the brainy declension colour of reds and purples as would be expected . For effective gloss , most maple need a location with part day ’s sunshine or at least eminent light .
Foliage color:
Famous for their phenomenal declination color , Japanese maples also present purpleness , bolshy , yellows , oranges , and Green as well as variegation throughout the growing time of year .
Growth rate:
Most Japanese maple uprise at a slow to moderate rate of 1 to 2 foot per year . They typically get fastest when they are young and slow down down as they reach maturity date . Planting them in a spotlight where they are happy and caring for them well help maximise their growth rate . If you want an established face right from the start , you may prefer to imbed an elder , big maple rather than a young one that may take years to senesce . If this is n’t an option , select a cultivar that has a reputation for being a faster - than - average grower , such asAcer palmatum‘Beni - otake ’ .
Types:
Japanese maples provide plenty of diversity . Compare the differenttypes of Japanese mapleshere .
“ Mostly slow growing , Japanese maple are the classic small trees for traditional Nipponese gardens . They are also well suitable to the restricted space of modern suburban gardens , whether planted in the ground or in containers . ”—Royal Horticultual Society
PLANTING JAPANESE MAPLES
The compact form of this nanus variety and its unique organisation of leave , which are layer like cap herpes zoster , makeAcer palmatum‘Mikawa Yatsubusa ’ an fantabulous pick for develop in a pot and a top selection of bonsai enthusiasts . zone 5 - 8 . Photo by : Richard Bloom .
When to plant:
Fall is an excellent meter to institute because it allows the roots of your Japanese maple to get found while the rest of the tree diagram is hibernating . However , many gardeners also find achiever planting in the bound . Either way , check that there is no menace of frost which can damage a fresh planted tree .
How to plant:
Dig a maw twice as wide as the root ball but no deep than the container the plant add up in . softly loose the etymon if they ’re tightly spring to further outward development . After site your tree in the maw , backfill with the original soil , packing it down thinly so the roots are able to pass off . Water your tree good to settle the soil , then employ a level of constituent mulch or compost around the base , keeping it aside from the trunk to prevent rot .
Location:
Japanese maples favor to be in locations protect from strong breaking wind and bound frosts .
Soil:
Japanese maples are fairly adaptative , but prefer moist , well - drain , slightly acidic grease that contain constituent thing . If you live in an field with sullen clay dirt , planting them slightly elevated is good ; this will facilitate hold against root putrefaction and disease . Chlorosis ( yellowing of foliage due to want of chlorophyll ) may occur in gamy - pH soils .
Container planting:
Many of the smaller varieties are first-class in containers . Japanese maples “ self stunt , ” meaning their top growth will decrease when their roots are confined . When planting in a container , it is still saucy to focus on pocket-sized to medium varieties or dwarf form .
“ Pots are a enceinte way to try Nipponese maple — you could move them around to see what kind of lightheaded conditions they like in your garden . ” — Steph , Hooked & Rooted
Jim Putnam of HortTube delves into the art of pruning Japanese maples alongside experts Lynn and Jim Swanson , who maintain the maple collection at JC Raulston Arboretum . Together , they demonstrate a range of pruning techniques while foreground how strategic pruning can enhance both tree health and optic appeal .
CARE & PRUNING
Water:
irrigate them well at planting prison term and regularly thereafter . Although they can survive occasional wry spell once established , you will want to avoid moisture extremes and water regularly during uttermost drouth . Maples like mulch to protect their roots from heat and cold , as well as slim down the frequency of watering , particularly for those in containers . Keep mulch several column inch away from the luggage compartment .
Fertilizer:
low-spirited - nitrogen fertilizer is fine in leaping ( N-15 or lower ) , but do n’t apply after May , as this could jam nightfall colouration & winter toughness . It is best to wait to fertilize newly plant Japanese maples until their second produce season .
Pruning:
The key to pruning a Nipponese maple is to make strategic slash that enhance its natural form and ameliorate air flow . Focus on thinning , not cut back — absent small upcountry twigs and get across branches , trim them at a slight slant above a healthy bud or subdivision catch . The idealistic time to make significant pruning gash is during the tree ’s dormancy period ( late winter through early spring ) , but you’re able to dress at any meter to remove all in , damage , or diseased woodwind .
Tip : Japanese maples can be limbed up to reveal their sculptural branching and allow for easy view of nearby planting .
Problems, Diseases, Pests:
For the most part , Nipponese maples do n’t digest from any serious insect or disease problem . They can be susceptible to stalk canker , folio spot , fusarium , verticillium wilt , botrytis , anthracnose , and root decomposition . speck can be troublesome , and other pests may includeaphids , scale , borers , and stem weevil .
More charge information here : Japanese Maple Care
JAPANESE MAPLE PICTURES
Photo by : Proven Winners
Metamorphosa ® Acer palmatum — Buy now from Proven winner
Zones 5 - 8
This shrubby potpourri has neat texture and ever - changing color of its foliage . give foliation emerges yellow and develops a pinkish tolerance that shifts to whiten with shades of reddish - orangeness in summertime . In fall , the entire leafage changes to orange tree - crimson and then to cherry - reddish blue . uprise to 5 to 13 metrical unit tall , 3 to 10 feet wide .
“ Ever - commute colour and intricate leaf texture make Metamorphosa ® Japanese maple a absorbing specimen . It ’s the kind of industrial plant you ’ll need to visit throughout the season to admire each subtle shift . ”—Proven winner ColorChoice bush
Samurai Sword ™ Acer palmatum — grease one’s palms now from Proven succeeder
All the beauty of a Nipponese maple in a much turgid var. , develop quickly to the size of a small shadiness tree ( 25 to 30 feet tall , 20 feet all-encompassing ) with a tall oval canopy . It ’s 3 - season reddened colour radiate bright , shifting from dusty Bolshevik in the springtime to a courtly burgundy in summertime , and last to a shine loss in fall .
pic by : Doreen Wynja
Acer shirasawanum‘Autumn Moon ’
zona 5 - 7
chess opening pinkish orangeness with yellowish green undertones in spring , summertime add orange and salmon to the premix , finishing with orangeness and red in autumn . Vigorous , stalwart , and heat liberal . progress to 8 feet tall and wide-cut over 10 years in the landscape ; about 6 substructure by 4 feet in a container .
exposure by : Kenny Garvey / Shutterstock .
Acer palmatum‘Bloodgood ’
This cultivar grows into a little , rounded , deciduous tree diagram , typically 15 - 20 metrical foot marvellous . It features empurpled - carmine flowers in spring , deep cherry-red - purple summertime foliage , red samaras ( ironical yield ) in belated summer , and right red - to - crimson twilight colouration . It may also be grown as a multi - stemmed bush .
“ This lovely small tree , aboriginal to the Far East , can be farm only in very protected areas if you live in Zone 5 . It is an exceptional small cosmetic maple . ”—Chicago Botanic Garden
Photo by : Clive Nichols .
Acer palmatum‘Crimson Queen ’
One of the most popular cultivars of Acer palmatum among gardeners , herald for retaining its burgundy - crimson color throughout the growing time of year , though in the warmth of the South it can sometimes go a bit gullible . In fall , the ferny leaves turn undimmed orange - red before fall to the footing in a brilliant carpet . A mature specimen has a dramatic cascade shape , make it a showpiece in the garden . foliage tip can singe easily , so this maple needs some shade . Can gain 8 - 10 foot magniloquent and 12 feet wide .
Photo by : Marianne Majerus .
Acer palmatum‘Dissectum Atropurpureum ’
This well - known kind forms a elegant , mound scrim of lacy foliage which cloak to the ground from an architectural armature of distorted leg . ho-hum growing enough to use as a dramatic specimen in a large container . Leaves are purplish red , turning a fiery burn orangeness in the downslope . Typically attain 8 - 12 feet marvelous and 8 - 12 feet all-embracing .
photograph by : Richard Bloom .
Acer palmatum‘Sango kaku ’
The cultivar name ‘ Sango kaku ’ stand for “ ocean coral tug , ” referring to the extraordinary pinkish- red barque of this vase - shaped tree , normally called coral barque Nipponese maple . All Nipponese maples are interesting twelvemonth around , but this one is peculiarly so . Its radiant stem coloration intensifies with winter sunshine ; in spring it grow pink new stems and pink - tipped lily-livered - unripe leaves . The bark and lead recede to a subdued people of colour in summer , and fall foliage is yellow - atomic number 79 . Reaches 20 feet by 15 feet or more over 10 years in the landscape painting ; around 10 feet by 5 feet in a container .
Photo by : Rob Cardillo .
Acer palmatum‘Suminagashi ’
Airy and good , ‘ Sumi nagashi ’ , know as “ lion ’s mane , ” turns several shadiness of bolshie through the season , starting red - purple in spring , morph to rich maroon in summertime , and blaze crimson in fall . For supreme color , provide good afternoon shade . contact 10 to 15 feet tall and spacious over 10 years in the landscape painting ; around 8 metrical unit by 5 foot in a container .
Acer palmatumvar.dissectum‘Lemon Chiffon ’
Another daintydissectum , the leaf of ‘ Lemon Chiffon ’ emerge lighter green with white-livered highlights , lento darkening in summer to create a two - tonicity consequence . Fall color roll from chickenhearted to orange . A elegant bantam tree for small space and high-pitched grain , it contact 3 to 4 feet marvelous by 4 to 5 feet wide in 10 age in the landscape painting ; about 3 feet by 3 foot in a container .
Acer palmatum‘Beni otake ’
Zones 5 - 9
With its strappy burgundy leaves arranged in tier up , ‘ Beni otake ’ , which roughly translates to “ ruby-red bamboo , ” is perfectly name . In the linearilobum group of Japanese maple , this fast - growing tree diagram holds its colour well if given plenty of sun . Vigorous and upright . Reaches around 10 to 12 ft by 6 to 8 fundament over 10 years in the landscape ; about 9 feet by 5 feet in a container .
photograph by : Doreen Wynja .
Acer palmatum‘Shishigashira ’
This compact , shrubby tree has curled and crinkled leave of absence that clump in tussock along the prow . jet in spring and summertime , the foliage turns gold with rose and violent tones in fall . Slowly reaches about 7 to 15 feet by 5 to 12 groundwork over 10 year in the landscape ; about 5 feet by 4 feet in a container .
Acer palmatum‘Butterfly ’
An refined variegate maple ideal for pocket-size gardens and up - airless viewing , ‘ butterfly stroke ’ displays farewell of gray - dark-green and creamy white advert with pinko . In fall the blank parts alter to pictorial magenta . acquire slowly , reaching 7 to 12 feet by 4 to 8 foot over 10 year in the landscape painting ; about 6 feet by 4 foot in a container .
Acer japonicum‘Green Cascade ’
This compact domed tree with pendulous arm has rich light-green folio that detonate in yellowed , orange , and cherry-red in autumn . hone for scoop gardens and container , it reach 4 to 5 feet improbable by 6 to 8 feet wide over 10 old age in the landscape painting ; about 4 feet by 5 feet in a container .
Acer japonicum‘Aconitifolium ’
This spread out tree is green through most of the growing season , then the profoundly dissected leaves become a kaleidoscope of red , yellow , orangish , and purple . reach 20 feet grandiloquent and 15 feet wide in 10 geezerhood in the landscape ; about 12 feet by 8 feet in a container .
photograph by : J. Paul Moore .
Acer japonicum‘Tsukushigata ’
Zones 6 - 8
This tree diagram is known for its lustrous dark - purplish foliage that turns scarlet red in the fall . Bright green veining tote up highlights and chartreuse source pods twinkle among the dark leaves . A mid - size maple , it grows to about 10 feet tall and almost as wide . cite for a bay on the island of Kyushu .
Acer shirasawanum‘Aureum ’
The yellow green leaves ofAcer shirasawanum‘Aureum ’ , or golden full - moon maple , are more rounded and less profoundly lobed than most . develop in a shady context encourages the bright yellow - unripened color ; in summertime tufts of reddish purplish flowers morph into crimson samaras . evenfall color is orangish - reddish , sometimes with regal highlights . Reaches approximately 8 feet by 7 feet in 10 eld in the landscape ; about 6 foot by 4 base in a container .
In this delightful garden tour , Steph and George of Hooked and frozen showcase their Japanese maple collection and DIY Japanese - invigorate garden . Over two years in the qualification , their blank space is a vibrant canvas of extraordinary Japanese maple varieties , with foliation colors ranging from torrid red to flaccid yellow and everything in between .
JAPANESE MAPLE DESIGN IDEAS
Nipponese maple can stand alone as a single salient centrepiece , focal point , or idiom , as well as piece of work together to provide a spectacular backdrop . They play well with others , particularly establish with exchangeable sparkle and water needs . perennial and ground covers establish around them can add together additional colour to the area as well as provide an surface area of protection to the trunk from lawn mower and green goddess - eater injury .
Companion plants for Japanese maples include:
ginkgo , sunrise redwoods , rhododendrons , azalea , conifers , sedum , dianthus , coral bells , Japanese woods grass .
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
What are the downsides of Japanese maples?
Nipponese maple are stunning trees , but there are a few downsides to view before implant one . Because most Japanese maples grow easy , it can take some time before they reach their full potential . They also are sensitive to extreme weather condition , with leave prone to scorching in hot climate and soft branch that can bump easily in storms or under impenetrable snowfall . In insensate clime , they can be vulnerable to frost damage , particularly when temperatures drop all of a sudden in later spring as the tree begins to leaf out .
Are Japanese maples good to grow in pots?
Many smaller varieties of Japanese maple expand in pots , create them an excellent choice for patios and balconies . choose a container that is at least twice the size of the root ball and has splendid drainage . Because Japanese maples “ self stunt ” ( meaning their growth will decrease when their root word are confined ) , they do n’t need frequent repotting . However , refreshing the soil every few years and upgrading to a larger pot if the roots become crowded will help oneself sustain their health and vigor .
Are Japanese maple roots invasive?
No , Nipponese maple do not have incursive ancestor . Their stem system of rules are typically shallow and succinct , staying close to the dirt airfoil . This makes them generally safe to plant near structures like foundations , walkway , and terrace . While their roots are non - strong-growing , Japanese maples do best when they are n’t competing with surrounding plants , so be sure to give them spate of blank .
Do Japanese maple lose their leaves in winter?
Yes , Nipponese maple are deciduous trees and moult their leaf as wintertime sets in , leaving the branch bare until fresh foliage emerges in the spring . During the colder calendar month , when the trees are leafless , their graceful forking structure becomes even more pronounced , allow for a deeper hold of their natural elegance .
Why are the leaves on my Japanese maple turning green in summer?
The leaves of sure Japanese maple cultivar course tilt in color throughout the seasons , begin with brighter hue in spring and gradually turning light-green as summer progresses . Sun picture also plays a significant function . Some red - foliaged change may miss their plangency if they do n’t encounter enough sunlight . Nutrient deficiencies , peculiarly a want of phosphorus , can also strike leafage pigmentation and add to a immature show .
Which Japanese maple variety is best for full sun?
A number of Nipponese maple varieties handle full sun well , peculiarly those with green or deep red foliage that hold out scorching . A few options to turn over include ‘ Bloodgood ’ , Samurai Sword ™ , and ‘ Sango Kaku ’ . Even when growing sun - tolerant varieties , it ’s good to offer some protective covering from intense good afternoon sunlight , especially in blistering climates .
