Japanese maple

Acer palmatum, on its common name Japanese maple or Smooth Japanese maple, is a deciduous shrub or small tree native to Japan, China and South Korea. It includes an incredibly diverse and beautiful variety of cultivars with the foliage colors that range from light green to deep purple and with a growth habit that may vary from a low growing, dwarf weeping variety to a 6-10 m tall shade tree. Red-leafed cultivars are the most popular, followed by cascading green shrubs with deeply dissected leaves. It may have multiple trunks joining close to the ground.

Japanese maple is grown for its interesting growth habit and fine leaf texture. It also offers autumn interest by the leaves colors that range from bright yellow through orange and red. It can be grown as a single or multi-stemmed small tree, as a specimen or a focal point on the lawn or in borders, near a deck or patio, in containers or above-ground planters, specially the dwarf varieties, as long as you provide it a good drainage. It is also one of the most popular and appropriate choices for bonsai.

Plant Japanese maples in the spring, after all dangers of frost have passed. It can also be easily transplanted, even it has become a larger specimen. When planting make sure the hole is large enough to accommodate all the roots. If the plant will be grown in a container, tease out the roots first. It grows best in a moist, well-drained, fertile soil, in a place where is protected from drying winds and when it is grown in areas with hot dry summers, it should be grown in a place with partial shade to protect it from scorching. It also grows well as an understory tree, tolerating fairly dense shade. Be sure that drainage is maintained and never allow water to stand around the roots. Fertilize in early spring with a good all purpose, slow release fertilizer and water thoroughly after feeding. Prune Japanese maples in late fall or winter, while they are in their dormant period, removing any dead or damaged branches.

Japanese maples grow well in containers as long as the compost is kept evenly moist but not wet. Plant into compost, which allows good drainage, aeration and has a good loam content, with a high percentage of organic matter. Feed the maples that are grown in containers in the spring and early summer. Repot them every couple of years if necessary. In winter you have to protect their roots from frost by covering the pot with bubble wrap and raise the pot from the ground to maintain a good drainage. Avoid placing pots in full sun over the hot periods.

It is possible to propagate Japanese maple from seed, but it is more likely that the seedlings will not duplicate the parent plant coloration or growing structure. The seeds require stratification in order to germinate.