Plant Profile: Japanese Maple
Ask a gardener for their list of favourite trees and the Japanese maple is sure to be on it. Here's why
For stunning autumn colour in small to medium gardens you can’t beat the graceful beauty of a Japanese maple (Acer palmatum). These delightful small trees are incredibly varied in form, leaf colour, shape and size. From the delicate pink leaved dissectums to the bold red varieties that light up the garden with their flame-coloured foliage, Japanese maples perform brilliantly as focal points whether you have a small courtyard or a more expansive property. They’re great container plants, look amazing alongside ponds and work well in both contemporary and traditional gardens.
Signature traits
A small, graceful woodland tree with beautifully coloured foliage, the Japanese maple makes a stunning picture, especially in autumn. The leaves of Japanese maples are palmate (like a hand) in shape, hence the botanical name.
When to plant
Plant in autumn when there’s moisture in the ground and roots can establish before temperatures drop. In warmer areas, Japanese maple can be planted in winter or spring but it’s best to avoid the heat of summer.
A small, graceful woodland tree with beautifully coloured foliage, the Japanese maple makes a stunning picture, especially in autumn. The leaves of Japanese maples are palmate (like a hand) in shape, hence the botanical name.
When to plant
Plant in autumn when there’s moisture in the ground and roots can establish before temperatures drop. In warmer areas, Japanese maple can be planted in winter or spring but it’s best to avoid the heat of summer.
Where to plant
Japanese maples are best planted in a sheltered spot out of the wind, which will damage their delicate leaves. Avoid very hot areas too; these are woodland trees which do best with some shade, particularly during the middle of the day. Hot sun can also burn their thin bark.
Soil should be neutral to acid, and free-draining. Make sure there’s plenty of space around your Japanese maple so its shape and colours can be fully appreciated. Keep plants well mulched to ensure their delicate root systems stay cool in summer and warm in winter.
See more garden design photos
Japanese maples are best planted in a sheltered spot out of the wind, which will damage their delicate leaves. Avoid very hot areas too; these are woodland trees which do best with some shade, particularly during the middle of the day. Hot sun can also burn their thin bark.
Soil should be neutral to acid, and free-draining. Make sure there’s plenty of space around your Japanese maple so its shape and colours can be fully appreciated. Keep plants well mulched to ensure their delicate root systems stay cool in summer and warm in winter.
See more garden design photos
How to plant
If planting in spring, make sure you handle Japanese maple trees carefully as their leaf buds and leaves can damage easily. Dig a hole the depth of the root ball and 2-3 times as wide so that you can incorporate some well-rotted organic matter (manure, compost, leaf mould) and a good quality planting mix.
If your soil does not drain well make the hole slightly shallower than the root ball and form a mound around it, so the Japanese maple is sitting a little above ground level. This will improve drainage, as will digging plenty of organic matter into the ground before planting. For areas with very heavy clay soil, it is probably better to plant these small tress in pots.
If planting in spring, make sure you handle Japanese maple trees carefully as their leaf buds and leaves can damage easily. Dig a hole the depth of the root ball and 2-3 times as wide so that you can incorporate some well-rotted organic matter (manure, compost, leaf mould) and a good quality planting mix.
If your soil does not drain well make the hole slightly shallower than the root ball and form a mound around it, so the Japanese maple is sitting a little above ground level. This will improve drainage, as will digging plenty of organic matter into the ground before planting. For areas with very heavy clay soil, it is probably better to plant these small tress in pots.
When to water
Water your Japanese maple regularly when first planted, particularly during its growth period (spring and summer). Once plants are established after a few months, watering can be reduced but only in cooler regions. In warm areas, you’ll need to keep the soil moist during spring and summer, especially for the weeping varieties, to prevent soil drying out.
How to fertilise
Japanese maples don’t like too much fertiliser, they prefer to gain their nutrients from organic matter in the soil. A small amount of organic slow-release fertiliser in the spring can be beneficial. Generally less is better with inorganic fertilisers – half-strength dosages are recommended. Wait until the second growing season after planting to fertilise young trees, so they can adapt to the conditions.
Interesting fact
The trunks and branch structure of many Japanese maples can be just as spectacular as their leaves. The coral bark Japanese maple pictured is a great example.
Water your Japanese maple regularly when first planted, particularly during its growth period (spring and summer). Once plants are established after a few months, watering can be reduced but only in cooler regions. In warm areas, you’ll need to keep the soil moist during spring and summer, especially for the weeping varieties, to prevent soil drying out.
How to fertilise
Japanese maples don’t like too much fertiliser, they prefer to gain their nutrients from organic matter in the soil. A small amount of organic slow-release fertiliser in the spring can be beneficial. Generally less is better with inorganic fertilisers – half-strength dosages are recommended. Wait until the second growing season after planting to fertilise young trees, so they can adapt to the conditions.
Interesting fact
The trunks and branch structure of many Japanese maples can be just as spectacular as their leaves. The coral bark Japanese maple pictured is a great example.
Landscape ideas
Japanese maples, particularly the weeping varieties, look beautiful when planted alongside water. Or plant them in front of an uncluttered wall/fence/screen to show off their beautiful leaf colour and form. If space allows, try grouping several varieties together in shady woodland plantings with other shade lovers such as rhododendron, azaleas, clivia, hosta and ferns.
Of course Zen gardens are the perfect fit for Japanese maples, with some raked gravel, and a boulder or two all that’s needed to showcase their elegant good looks.
So your garden style is: Japanese
Japanese maples, particularly the weeping varieties, look beautiful when planted alongside water. Or plant them in front of an uncluttered wall/fence/screen to show off their beautiful leaf colour and form. If space allows, try grouping several varieties together in shady woodland plantings with other shade lovers such as rhododendron, azaleas, clivia, hosta and ferns.
Of course Zen gardens are the perfect fit for Japanese maples, with some raked gravel, and a boulder or two all that’s needed to showcase their elegant good looks.
So your garden style is: Japanese
Plant in containers
Pots are an excellent way to display your Japanese maple, particularly if space is tight or your soil is not free-draining.
Containers should be about twice the diameter of the rootball and half as deep. Position pots by the front door, as a focal point on the deck or near a pond.
Growers recommend a mixture of half potting soil and half aged bark (or vermiculite/perlite) for containers. Repot every two to three years, trimming the roots and replacing the growing mix.
Tell us
Do you have a Japanese maple in your garden? Share photos of its stunning foliage in the Comments below.
Pots are an excellent way to display your Japanese maple, particularly if space is tight or your soil is not free-draining.
Containers should be about twice the diameter of the rootball and half as deep. Position pots by the front door, as a focal point on the deck or near a pond.
Growers recommend a mixture of half potting soil and half aged bark (or vermiculite/perlite) for containers. Repot every two to three years, trimming the roots and replacing the growing mix.
Tell us
Do you have a Japanese maple in your garden? Share photos of its stunning foliage in the Comments below.
Common name: Japanese maple
Botanical name: Acer palmatum
Origin: Japan and Korea
Plant type: Tree
Size: The trees reach from 1-5 metres in height and spread, depending on the cultivar, of which there are many.
Upright Japanese maples, such as the coral bark maple (Acer palmatum ‘Sango Kaku’), are generally taller than the weeping varieties such as Acer palmatum ‘Dissectum’.