Japanese maples (Acer palmatum) are powerhouses from the house landscape because of their graceful beauty and shocking, long-lasting color. These deciduous trees display lace-like, delicate foliage in an assortment of warm hues, including shades of red, orange and yellow. With a lift and height of 15 to 25 feet, these plants tolerate pruning and training well, making them a versatile option. For best operation, develop Japanese maples in U.S. Department of Agriculture plant hardiness zones 5b through 8b.
General Care
Providing optimal services to plants is vital for a wholesome landscape. Gardeners should plant Japanese maples in regions of the garden which provide some shade, whether beneath taller plants or next to structures which block out some sunlight, as these deciduous plants thrive in partial sun to full shade. They prefer moist, well-drained land with an acid pH of 3.7 to 6.8. Dry soil conditions increase the potential for scorch, particularly when trees are subjected to higher amounts of sunlight. Irrigate soil when the upper layer feels dry to the touch to prevent allowing soil to dry out while preventing excessively moist conditions.
Specimen and Bonsai
Although Japanese maple trees grow naturally as multi-stemmed plants, gardeners may train them according to their liking. To get one pop of color, including a Japanese maple to the landscape as a specimen plant works well near a deck or as a focal point in a smaller lawn. Gardeners can train the plant as a single-stemmed tree to get a less shrub-like look. Additionally, Japanese maples work well as Bonsai plants. Japanese maples can be found in a wide array of cultivars based on the gardener’s curiosity. “Shishigashira,” for example, is known for its streamlined growth and orange color during autumn while “Sumi nagashi” is prized because of its purple foliage that becomes reddish during summer and red during autumn, describes the Texas A&M; AgriLife Extension.
Mass Plantings
By planting Japanese maples within their multi-stemmed, complete glory in either one or a variety of colors, “you are able to make an interesting landscape with nothing but Japanese maples,” suggests the Auburn University College of Agriculture. A gardener may opt to plant a set of one color of Japanese maples, like by planting them en masse behind briefer plants for a large dose of color. However, playing around with color mixtures by grouping an assortment of trees as a main garden appeal creates a unique visual. Planting purple-hued cultivars in conjunction with those displaying yellow foliage creates a brilliant study in contrasts.
Border Plants
Whether planted near one another for a tall, complete visual or trained carefully side for a more formal look, Japanese maples are well-suited to be used as border plants. Gardeners may think about lining the exterior of a garden or planting the trees along a fence to get color and elegance. Moreover, planting shorter cultivars known because of their spherical habit creates a softer impact when branches droop to the ground, including a tranquil look to walkways or driveways.