Gardening

Green with Envy

Marilyn Pomer
Email Author

When you're not puttering around in the garden, read this column.

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Planning ahead a good idea with Japanese maples

August 14, 2007 10:46 AM
 
 
Before you buy a Japanese maple, plan ahead and figure out exactly where it will be planted. A combination of three factors: microclimate, water and soil need to be considered before you select a proper location for your new Japanese maple. You will have to assess your property for the following: areas of the garden that are a little warmer or cooler, more or less windy, as well as wetter or drier soil conditions. Japanese maples prefer a sheltered location away from westerly winds; eastern or northern exposure is ideal with three to four hours of sun or even dappled shade. For most situations, I would avoid planting a Japanese maple in full sun due to its delicate foliage that is prone to burn in intense direct sunlight. Japanese maples are not drought-tolerant plants so a three-inch layer of cedar mulch will reduce your watering, especially in the heat of the summer. I recommend that the amount of water be equivalent to double the volume of the original plant container from the nursery. Remember to keep the mulch away from the trunk of the Japanese Maple in order to avoid insect infestations or disease in the bark. In general, they prefer a loamy, well drained soil; acid soil conditions are ideal and these types of maples dislike permanently wet roots.

Planting Time

The best time to plant a Japanese maple is between early spring to late fall. Good companion shrub plantings with Japanese maples are hydrangeas and rhododendrons. One of my favourite cultivars is the Acer palmatum 'Butterfly;' it makes a wonderful focal point in the garden. This magnificent small tree that grows eight to ten feet tall has tri-coloured foliage: green, white and pink.

Winter Care

As a precaution I would recommend wrapping the Japanese maple in burlap for its first winter in your garden, before the snow falls. Place three stakes around the plant and wrap a layer of burlap around the stakes. You will need to remove the burlap in early spring when the ground starts to thaw, typically in April. Since Japanese maples are considered slow growers, pruning is not usually necessary; except to preserve the overall shape after a number of years. Spring and early fall are good times to prune your tree or shrub. Japanese maples are beautiful in all seasons, especially in autumn when they keep their coloured foliage longer than the typical maple tree. I would consider planting a Japanese maple this fall for year-round interest and spectacular colour!

 

Marilyn Pomer is a landscape designer for Greenescape Designs Inc. If you have any questions or comments please email Marilyn at

( marilyn@greenescape.ca ).