Japanese Maples MenuTypes, color, pruning and more
Nipponese maple trees can provide a striking focal point , be the double-dyed plant to set off a great container , or grow into an impressive bonsai specimen . There are hundreds of Japanese maple varieties that come in various sizes with a large assortment of leaf shapes and colors that range from tad of green to orange , reddened , purple , and variegated .
On this page : The Basics|Planting|Care & Pruning|Pictures|Design Ideas|FAQs
THE BASICS
Acer palmatum . photograph by : Philip Bird | Dreamstime .
Zones:
Generally , zone 5 - 8 . Heat is a consideration , especially in the south , not necessarily for the health of the maple but for its effect on leaf color , causing many royal or red - leaved potpourri to “ go green ” in the summer . They typically leaf out early in the time of year and a recent cold-blooded snap can cause serious equipment casualty even to mature specimen .
Height/Spread:
Varieties from 8 to 30 ft tall and encompassing .
Exposure:
allow the right amount of light can be a balancing act . Too much light can damage delicate leaves . Too minuscule light , and some of the more colorful varieties will take on a greenish tone — still attractive , but not the brilliant downslope color of reds and purples as would be expected . For best colour , most maples need a location with part day ’s sunshine or at least high luminousness .
Foliage color:
Famous for their phenomenal tumble colors , Japanese maples also present purples , loss , yellowness , oranges , and super C as well as diversification throughout the growing season .
Growth rate:
Most Nipponese maples grow at a slow to temperate charge per unit of 1 to 2 foot per yr . They typically grow fastest when they are young and retard down as they reach maturity . imbed them in a spotlight where they are felicitous and caring for them well helps maximize their growing rate . If you want an established look right from the start , you may opt to plant an older , large maple rather than a young one that may take years to mature . If this is n’t an option , select a cultivar that has a reputation for being a faster - than - mean grower , such asAcer palmatum‘Beni - otake ’ .
Types:
Nipponese maple offer great deal of diversity . equate the differenttypes of Japanese mapleshere .
“ Mostly sluggish growing , Nipponese maples are the classic small Sir Herbert Beerbohm Tree for traditional Japanese 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 midget multifariousness and its unique arrangement of leaves , which are layered like roof shingles , makeAcer palmatum‘Mikawa Yatsubusa ’ an splendid selection for farm in a pot and a top pick of bonsai enthusiast . zone 5 - 8 . Photo by : Richard Bloom .
When to plant:
gloam is an excellent meter to plant because it allow the roots of your Japanese maple to get ground while the rest of the tree is dormant . However , many gardeners also discover success planting in the springiness . Either way of life , make trusted there is no threat of frost which can damage a newly found Sir Herbert Beerbohm Tree .
How to plant:
savvy a hole double as wide as the etymon ball but no deep than the container the industrial plant come in . softly loosen the roots if they ’re tightly bound to promote outward outgrowth . After placing your tree in the hole , backfill with the original soil , packing it down lightly so the roots are able-bodied to take a breath . irrigate your tree thoroughly to settle down the ground , then utilise a stratum of constitutive mulch or compost around the base of operations , keeping it forth from the trunk to prevent rot .
Location:
Nipponese maple prefer to be in locations protected from strong winds and spring frost .
Soil:
Nipponese maple are fairly adaptative , but favor moist , well - drained , slightly acidic soils that incorporate organic affair . If you live in an region with ponderous clay soil , planting them slimly elevated is beneficial ; this will avail hold against root rot and disease . Chlorosis ( yellowing of foliage due to want of chlorophyll ) may occur in eminent - pH grease .
Container planting:
Many of the little variety are excellent in container . Nipponese maples “ ego stunt , ” meaning their top growth will lessen when their roots are confined . When planting in a container , it is still saucy to focus on little to medium potpourri or midget forms .
“ Pots are a great way to judge Japanese maples — you may move them around to see what form of light conditions they like in your garden . ” — Steph , Hooked & Rooted
Jim Putnam of HortTube delves into the art of pruning Nipponese maples alongside experts Lynn and Jim Swanson , who keep the maple ingathering at JC Raulston Arboretum . Together , they attest a grasp of pruning technique while highlighting how strategic pruning can raise both tree health and visual solicitation .
CARE & PRUNING
Water:
Water them well at planting clip and on a regular basis thereafter . Although they can prevail occasional teetotal spells once established , you will require to avert wet extreme and piss regularly during extreme drouth . Maples like mulch to protect their roots from heat and cold , as well as reduce the frequence of watering , especially for those in containers . Keep mulch several inch away from the trunk .
Fertilizer:
Low - atomic number 7 plant food is fine in spring ( N-15 or abject ) , but do n’t apply after May , as this could occlude decline color & wintertime huskiness . It is estimable to wait to fertilise fresh imbed Nipponese maple until their 2d growing time of year .
Pruning:
The tonality to pruning a Japanese maple is to make strategic cuts that raise its natural figure and improve air flow . Focus on cutting , not cutting back — remove small internal twigs and crossing branch , rationalize them at a slight angle above a healthy bud or subdivision collar . The idealistic time to make important pruning track is during the tree ’s quiescency period ( later wintertime through early spring ) , but you’re able to dress at any time to remove stagnant , damaged , or pathological wood .
Tip : Nipponese maples can be limbed up to reveal their sculpturesque fork and allow easy view of nearby plantings .
Problems, Diseases, Pests:
For the most part , Japanese maple do n’t suffer from any serious louse or disease job . They can be susceptible to root word canker , folio spots , fusarium , verticillium wilt disease , botrytis , anthracnose , and antecedent rot . mite can be troublesome , and other pestilence may includeaphids , scale , borer , and beginning weevil .
More care information here : Japanese Maple Care
JAPANESE MAPLE PICTURES
pic by : Proven Winners
Metamorphosa ® Acer palmatum — Buy now from Proven Winners
Zones 5 - 8
This shrubby variety has neat texture and ever - exchange color of its foliage . Spring foliage issue lily-livered and develop a pink leeway that shifts to white with shades of scarlet - orange in summer . In fall , the intact folio change to Orange River - red and then to red - violet . Grows to 5 to 13 foot magniloquent , 3 to 10 human foot wide .
“ Ever - changing color and intricate leaf texture make Metamorphosa ® Japanese maple a fascinating specimen . It ’s the form of plant you ’ll want to visit throughout the season to admire each subtle shift . ”—Proven victor ColorChoice bush
Samurai Sword ™ Acer palmatum — corrupt now from Proven success
All the beauty of a Japanese maple in a much larger form , growing quick to the size of a little shade tree ( 25 to 30 foot improbable , 20 foot wide ) with a improbable oval canopy . It ’s 3 - season red color shines brilliantly , shift from dusty red in the spring to a stately Bourgogne in summer , and finally to a glow red in tumble .
Photo by : Doreen Wynja
Acer shirasawanum‘Autumn Moon ’
Zones 5 - 7
opening move pinkish orange with yellowish green undercurrent in give , summer adds orange and salmon to the mixture , finishing with orange and cherry in fall . Vigorous , stalwart , and heat patient of . hit 8 feet tall and panoptic over 10 yr in the landscape ; about 6 feet by 4 feet in a container .
Photo by : Kenny Garvey / Shutterstock .
Acer palmatum‘Bloodgood ’
This cultivar develop into a small , rounded , deciduous Sir Herbert Beerbohm Tree , typically 15 - 20 feet grandiloquent . It feature purple - carmine flowers in spring , rich red - regal summer foliage , red samaras ( wry fruit ) in late summer , and proficient red - to - crimson nightfall people of colour . It may also be grown as a multi - stemmed bush .
“ This lovely small Sir Herbert Beerbohm Tree , aboriginal to the Far East , can be grow only in very protected domain if you live in Zone 5 . It is an exceptional diminished ornamental maple . ”—Chicago Botanic Garden
Photo by : Clive Nichols .
Acer palmatum‘Crimson Queen ’
One of the most popular cultivars of Acer palmatum among nurseryman , acclaimed for hold back its burgundy - red semblance throughout the acquire season , though in the heat of the South it can sometimes go a bit gullible . In fall , the ferny leaves turn bright orangish - red before falling to the earth in a brilliant carpet . A fledged specimen has a spectacular cascade form , defecate it a showpiece in the garden . Leaf tips can scorch easy , so this maple needs some shade . Can reach 8 - 10 pes magniloquent and 12 fundament wide .
Photo by : Marianne Majerus .
Acer palmatum‘Dissectum Atropurpureum ’
This well - sleep with variety forms a elegant , mound scrim of lacy leafage which drapes to the ground from an architectural armature of twisted branches . ho-hum growing enough to use as a dramatic specimen in a large container . Leaves are violet ruddy , wrench a fiery sunburn orange in the fall . Typically reaches 8 - 12 foot tall and 8 - 12 feet wide of the mark .
Photo by : Richard Bloom .
Acer palmatum‘Sango kaku ’
The cultivar name ‘ Sango kaku ’ means “ sea coral tower , ” referring to the extraordinary pinkish- red bark of this vase - shaped tree , commonly ring coral barque Nipponese maple . All Japanese maple are interesting yr around , but this one is particularly so . Its radiant stem color intensifies with winter sun ; in spring it grows pink new stems and pink - tipped yellow - green leaf . The barque and leaves fall behind to a subdued color in summertime , and fall leafage is yellow - atomic number 79 . give 20 feet by 15 feet or more over 10 year in the landscape painting ; around 10 feet by 5 feet in a container .
Photo by : Rob Cardillo .
Acer palmatum‘Suminagashi ’
Airy and erect , ‘ Sumi nagashi ’ , have it off as “ lion ’s head of hair , ” grow several shades of Bolshevik through the time of year , starting red - purple in spring , morphing to deep maroon in summer , and blaze out crimson in fall . For supreme gloss , allow afternoon shade . turn over 10 to 15 feet marvelous and wide over 10 years in the landscape painting ; around 8 foot by 5 foot in a container .
Acer palmatumvar.dissectum‘Lemon Chiffon ’
Another daintydissectum , the leaves of ‘ Lemon Chiffon ’ emerge light gullible with yellowish highlights , easy darkening in summer to produce a two - feel effect . pin color ranges from icteric to orange . A graceful bantam tree for small spaces and in high spirits texture , it reaches 3 to 4 feet marvellous by 4 to 5 feet wide in 10 age in the landscape ; about 3 feet by 3 feet in a container .
Acer palmatum‘Beni otake ’
Zones 5 - 9
With its strappy burgundy leaves stage in tiers , ‘ Beni otake ’ , which roughly translates to “ ruby-red bamboo , ” is perfectly named . In the linearilobum group of Japanese maples , this fast - growing tree holds its color well if given plenty of sun . Vigorous and vertical . Reaches around 10 to 12 feet by 6 to 8 feet over 10 years in the landscape painting ; about 9 foot by 5 foot in a container .
pic by : Doreen Wynja .
Acer palmatum‘Shishigashira ’
This summary , shrubby tree diagram has curled and rumple foliage that cluster in tuft along the stems . Green in spring and summer , the foliage twist gold with rose and cerise quality in twilight . Slowly reaches about 7 to 15 metrical foot by 5 to 12 infantry over 10 years in the landscape painting ; about 5 invertebrate foot by 4 foundation in a container .
Acer palmatum‘Butterfly ’
An elegant variegated maple saint for humble garden and up - nigh viewing , ‘ Butterfly ’ exhibit farewell of gray - unripened and creamy white touched with pink . In fall the white parts change to vivid Battle of Magenta . Grows slowly , reaching 7 to 12 foot by 4 to 8 foot over 10 years in the landscape ; about 6 foot by 4 feet in a container .
Acer japonicum‘Green Cascade ’
This compact domed tree with pendulous branches has fat green leave that explode in yellow , orange , and ruddy in fall . Perfect for pouch garden and containers , it reaches 4 to 5 feet grandiloquent by 6 to 8 feet wide over 10 years in the landscape ; about 4 feet by 5 understructure in a container .
Acer japonicum‘Aconitifolium ’
This propagate tree is green through most of the growing time of year , then the deeply take apart leaves become a kaleidoscope of cherry , jaundiced , orangish , and purple . reach 20 feet tall and 15 feet panoptic in 10 age in the landscape ; about 12 foot by 8 feet in a container .
pic by : J. Paul Moore .
Acer japonicum‘Tsukushigata ’
Zones 6 - 8
This tree is known for its shiny dark - purplish leafage that turns cherry-red bolshie in the twilight . shiny green veining add highlights and chartreuse seed pods twinkle among the dour leaves . A mid - size maple , it grows to about 10 feet grandiloquent and almost as wide . Named for a bay on the island of Kyushu .
Acer shirasawanum‘Aureum ’
The yellow green leaves ofAcer shirasawanum‘Aureum ’ , or gilded full - lunar month maple , are more rounded and less deeply lobate than most . grow in a shady setting encourages the brilliant yellow - green colour ; in summertime tufts of reddish purple flower morph into crimson samaras . Fall color is orange - reddened , sometimes with purple highlighting . Reaches approximately 8 feet by 7 feet in 10 years in the landscape painting ; about 6 groundwork by 4 feet in a container .
In this delightful garden tour , Steph and George of Hooked and frozen showcase their Nipponese maple collection and DIY Japanese - inspired garden . Over two years in the making , their space is a vivacious canvas of extraordinary Nipponese maple varieties , with foliation color ranging from fiery bolshy to soft yellows and everything in between .
JAPANESE MAPLE DESIGN IDEAS
Nipponese maples can put up alone as a single salient centerpiece , focal point , or dialect , as well as employment together to provide a dramatic backcloth . They play well with others , especially plants with alike light and body of water pauperization . Perennials and ground covering planted around them can add additional coloration to the area as well as provide an surface area of protection to the trunk from mower and weed - eater wound .
Companion plants for Japanese maples include:
Ginkgos , sunrise redwood , rhododendrons , azalea , conifers , sedum , genus Dianthus , coral bells , Japanese woodland Gunter Grass .
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
What are the downsides of Japanese maples?
Japanese maple are sensational Tree , but there are a few downsides to consider before planting one . Because most Japanese maples grow lento , it can take some meter before they reach their full potential . They also are sensitive to utmost atmospheric condition , with leave prone to scorch in hot climates and delicate branches that can break easily in storms or under weighty nose candy . In cold climates , they can be vulnerable to frost equipment casualty , in particular when temperatures drop suddenly in late spring as the Sir Herbert Beerbohm Tree begins to leaf out .
Are Japanese maples good to grow in pots?
Many smaller varieties of Japanese maples thrive in pots , pass water them an first-class option for terrace and balconies . Select a container that is at least twice the size of the root chunk and has excellent drain . Because Japanese maples “ self stunt ” ( meaning their growth will lessen when their rootage are confined ) , they do n’t need frequent repotting . However , freshen up the soil every few yr and upgrading to a larger pot if the theme become crowded will help assert their health and vigor .
Are Japanese maple roots invasive?
No , Japanese maples do not have encroaching roots . Their root systems are typically shallow and compact , staying nigh to the grunge surface . This gain them in the main safe to implant near structures like foundations , walkways , and patios . While their ascendent are non - fast-growing , Japanese maples do best when they are n’t vie with smother plants , so be sure to give them plenty of quad .
Do Japanese maple lose their leaves in winter?
Yes , Japanese maples are deciduous trees and molt their leave as wintertime hardening in , leaving the branches bare until refreshful leaf issue in the spring . During the moth-eaten months , when the tree are leafless , their refined branching structure becomes even more pronounced , allow for a deeper appreciation of their natural elegance .
Why are the leaves on my Japanese maple turning green in summer?
The leaves of sealed Nipponese maple cultivars naturally shift in colouring material throughout the season , beginning with vivid hues in spring and gradually turning immature as summertime progresses . Sun picture also play a significant role . Some red - foliaged varieties may misplace their vibrancy if they do n’t receive enough sunshine . Nutrient lack , particularly a lack of phosphorus , can also affect foliage pigmentation and contribute to a gullible appearance .
Which Japanese maple variety is best for full sun?
A act of Japanese maple varieties handle full sun well , in particular those with green or deep red leafage that resists scorching . A few options to consider include ‘ Bloodgood ’ , Samurai Sword ™ , and ‘ Sango Kaku ’ . Even when arise sun - patient of variety , it ’s best to supply some auspices from intense afternoon sun , in particular in hot climates .
