Guide to Growing Japanese Maple (Acers)

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Japanese Maple (Acers) are one of the most popular plants that people grow in their yards. There are many varieties to choose from and they can be grown in a pot or directly into the ground with proper care. They need plenty of light, soil, water and fertilizer to thrive but there’s more you need to know before deciding on which variety is right for you!

Japanese Maple Plant Profile

Japanese Maple (Acers) is a deciduous tree that grows to heights of up to ten meters. They have very pretty leaves with three lobes and can grow in almost any conditions, even shade.

The soil best for them should be rich in organic material such as compost or leaf mold and the location needs plenty of water but not too much or they can develop leaf scorch.

They need plenty of light and should be planted in a soil that drains well but still holds moisture, such as peat moss or pine bark mulch with compost mixed into it for nutrients.

Growing Zones

In terms of growing zones, Japanese Maple are great in zones three to seven. They can grow in shady spots and will also do well if they are planted a little too close together because of their thriving under shade conditions.

Height/Spread:

These plants can grow to a height of 50 feet and a width of 25-40 feet. They can also achieve a spread of 40-50 feet.

Foliage colour

One of the things that makes acers so popular is the variety of foliage colours.

The Japanese Maples are famous for their phenomenal fall colors. During spring, summer and early autumn they present purples, reds, yellows oranges green as well as variegation throughout the growing season.

Growth rate

Generally, Japanese maple have a growth rate of about 30-60 inches per year. They are not the quickest to gain height but this makes them ideal for smaller gardens where quick growing trees can quickly get out of control.

Varieties of Japanese Maple

There are hundreds of different cultivars of the Japanese maple in a range of sizes, colors, shapes, and leaf textures. Some notable cultivars include:

Acer palmatum ‘Coonara Pygmy’: If you plan on growing your Japanese maple tree in a container, ‘Coonara Pygmy’ is a great choice. It’s a dwarf maple with pinkish leaves in the spring that turn orange-red in the fall.

Acer palmatum ‘Villa Taranto’: For a weeping Japanese maple, try this variety. Its delicate leaves turn golden yellow in the fall.

Acer palmatum ‘Wolff’: One of the best cultivars for zone 5 gardeners (and maybe even zone 4), ‘Wolff’, also known as Emperor I, has stunning purple foliage.

Acer palmatum ‘Sumi nagashi’: ‘Sumi nagashi’ is one of the faster-growing cultivars of the Japanese maple. It, too, will well grow in zone 5.

Acer Palmatum ‘Osakazuki’ Hailed as the best Japanese maple for autumn colour, this tree reaches 4.5m. Leaves turn a brilliant striking red in early autumn.

Acer palmatum ‘Butterfly’ Five-lobed, serrated leaves are grey-green, irregularly edged with cream and suffused with pink. Grows to 2.5m in 20 years.

How to Pick the Right Japanese Maple

When you consider the many different cultivars of Japanese Maple, it might be hard to know which one is best for your particular needs. We can get drawn to the colour but if you choose the wrong plant for your garden, it won’t thrive. So the key to getting the right acer is to understand what they need.

How to Grow Japanese Maple Trees

Each cultivar may have its own specific requirements and advice but there is some general information that apply to almost all of these plants.

Sun vs. Shade

When it comes to sun, Japanese Maple generally prefer full sun. However, if planted in a shaded area and the canopy is thinned out to allow for more light penetration, they can do very well. Just watch for signs of poor growth or disease.

Best Soil for Japanese Maples

The Japanese maple thrives in a soil that has slight acidity. They do not like alkaline-rich soils, but loamy and sandy soils will work well for them; they enjoy moist conditions so it is important to ensure the ground drains properly.

How Much to Water

Watering frequency will vary with factors such as the moisture content of soil, light exposure and temperature. Most Japanese maples do not like being overwatered so it is important to watch the plant for signs of over-hydration.

Wind Problems For Japanese Maples

Protect your Japanese maple from the wind by planting it in a more protected spot, or plant it in a container. If you live in an area that is constantly exposed to winds, choose leeward side of the house for less exposure and browning leaves.

Fertilizer

Fertilize your Japanese maple in late winter or early spring after it is one year old. You can also feed it again in summer as needed, though you may want to reduce the amount of fertilizer if so.

Propagating Japanese Maple Trees

You can propagate a Japanese maple through seeds and softwood cuttings. The different cultivars are also grafted onto rootstock.

Japanese Maple Hardiness

The single most important factor during the winter months is shelter. And for delicate leaves, that means picking a place protected from cold easterly and northerly winds or lingering late frosts will help your plants thrive in spring.

There are a few ways to protect your plants from frost. One of the most popular methods is by using bubble wrap or fleece coverings over leaves, which can be secured with twine and tied around trees, boundaries, walls or surrounding buildings for added protection.

Another great way to prevent damage in harsh winter weather conditions is through pot feet that lift containers clear off the ground so they aren’t touching any cold surfaces like concrete during freezing rain storms

How to grow Japanese maple in containers

Aside from their use in bonsai, dwarf Japanese maples can also be grown as traditional container trees and moved about the yard throughout the season. Plant them in a container with adequate drainage holes, because Japanese maples don’t like to have their roots sitting in water.

A high-quality potting soil is just fine as long as it’s one that drains well but does not remain soggy for too long.

How to Prune a Japanese Maple Tree

Japanese maples are fascinating plants to keep in your yard. They don’t need much work, you can prune out the lower branches if desired and remove any branches that have crossed for improved appearance. Other than that, just cut away dead or diseased parts of the plant on a regular basis!

There are also two different ways to grow Japanese maple trees: with one trunk or multiple trunks. Choose how many trunks you’d like by simply cutting off extra stems when they’re young––you’ll be glad later because it’s very hard to get rid of a tree once its grown this tall!

Japnese Maple FAQs