Celebrating 10 years of helping your gardens grow!
[
The Garden Helper][
Gardening Basics][
"How to" Guides][
House plants][
Glossary of Terms]
[
Garden Encyclopedia][
USDA Zones][
Monthly Reminders][
Galleries][
Recipes]
[
**** The Gardener's Forum ****]
The Japanese maple
Acer palmatum
June 18, 1999
The Japanese maple (Acer palmatum) includes an incredibly diverse and
beautiful variety of hybrids. (Over 300 cultivars.) They may vary considerably
in leaf shape from the 'typical' Maple leaf, to deeply cut 'Lace leaf' varieties.
The foliage colors range from light green to a deep burgundy. The growth habit
may be anywhere from a low growing, dwarf weeping variety to a 20 foot tall
shade tree. Although Japanese maples look as though they would be delicate,
they are hardy and durable trees, seldom damaged by insect
pests or by air pollutants.
If you live within zones 4 - 8, and have a well
drained location in mind, check out the different varieties at a local nursery.
You are bound to find at least one Japanese maple which perfectly suits your
desires and your planting site.
The Japanese maple grows best in a moist, well draining, fertile soil. When
they are grown in areas with hot dry sun, they should be grown in partial
shade (afternoon shade) to protect them from scorching. In northern
areas, where summer temperatures are more moderate, they will do quite
well in full sun. Dwarf varieties (and to a lesser extent, the tall,
upright forms), can be easily and successfully grow in large containers
or planters, provided there is good drainage.
Fertilize in early spring by punching a series of 1-2 inch holes, 5-6 inches
deep, and two feet apart, at the drip line. Fill each hole half way with a
good all purpose (10-10-10), slow release plant food. Water thoroughly
after feeding. (ALWAYS!)
Plant Japanese maples in the spring after the danger of frost has passed.
It may be necessary to provide support stakes to prop up young slender
branches until they have developed and strengthened, because the weight
of the new foliage may tend to cause the branch to droop to the ground.
These trees have tendency to leaf out very early, which unfortunately makes
them susceptible to spring frosts. A late frost may result in a loss of
the new foliage, but the tree generally survives without any damage.
Prune Japanese maples in late fall or winter, while they are dormant, removing
any dead or damaged branches. They adapt well to pruning and are easily thinned
and sculpted to accentuate their graceful shape. You may prune further to
control the size, or create the shape which suits your landscape needs.
It is possible to propagate these trees from
seed, but the seedlings more than likely be a hybrid, and may not necessarily
duplicate the parent plant's coloration, or even growing structure.
Japanese maples can be easily transplanted (even
larger specimens).
[ The Garden Helper][ Gardening Basics][ Encyclopedia]
[ Plants by name][ Plants by botanical name][ How to Grow a Garden][ Monthly reminders]
[ House Plants][ Web Graphics][ Nature Gallery]
[Gardeners Forum][ Gardening Glossary]
