Tree
Japanese maple
| Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Plant | Plant in March | Plant in October | Plant in November | |||||||||
| Prune | Prune in January | Prune in November | Prune in December | |||||||||
| Looks good | Looks good in April | Looks good in May | Looks good in October | Looks good in November |
Overview
Acer palmatum is a slow, graceful small tree grown for its hand-shaped leaves, which unfurl in fresh greens, reds or pinks in spring and often blaze in autumn. There are hundreds of cultivars. 'Bloodgood' holds deep purple-red leaves all summer, 'Osakazuki' is green until it turns brilliant scarlet in October, and 'Sango-kaku' has coral-pink young stems that brighten winter. The Dissectum group forms low, mound-shaped shrubs with finely cut, lacy foliage, ideal for small gardens.
Where to grow japanese maple
Choose a sheltered spot in dappled shade or morning sun, away from cold east winds. Neutral to slightly acid soil suits best; shallow chalk and waterlogged clay both cause problems. Smaller cultivars thrive in a large glazed pot of loam-based compost, which also lets gardeners on alkaline soil grow them.
Planting
Plant in autumn or early spring while the tree is dormant. Dig a wide, shallow hole, mix in leaf mould or compost, and keep the top of the root ball at soil level. Water thoroughly and mulch, keeping the mulch off the trunk.
Care through the year
Spring
Cover small trees with fleece on frosty nights once the new leaves emerge, as they are easily blackened.
Summer
Water in dry spells, especially trees in pots, which can scorch quickly.
Autumn
Enjoy the colour; topping up mulch now helps keep roots moist next year.
Winter
Raise pots on feet so they drain freely and do not freeze solid in wet compost.
Pruning
Prune as little as possible, and only when the tree is fully dormant between late autumn and midwinter; maples bleed sap if cut in late winter and spring. Remove dead, crossing or badly placed branches, cutting back to a fork, to keep the natural layered shape.
Propagation
Named cultivars are grafted and difficult to propagate at home. Seed collected in autumn and sown outdoors will germinate, but the seedlings vary and rarely match the parent.
Common problems
Crisp brown leaf edges are usually scorch from wind, hot sun or dry roots rather than disease. Late frosts damage new growth. Aphids can be a nuisance in spring, and verticillium wilt occasionally causes branches to die back suddenly; cut affected wood out.
Guides to the problems most likely to affect japanese maple:
Something else wrong? Diagnose it by symptom.
Month-by-month reminders
Jobs for this plant come round in January, March, October, November and December. Each month page lists everything else worth doing in the garden at the same time.
Related plants
Sources
Botanical names follow Kew's Plants of the World Online; growing attributes were checked against the references below. Text is our own. See our editorial policy.