Acer palmatum
Acer palmatum
Japanese maple
- Position: Partial shade
- Soil: moist but well-drained soil
- Flowering period: April to May
- Height: 3-8m
- Foliage : deciduous
- Hardiness: fully hardy
Varieties
‘Acer palmatum ‘Atropurpureum’
Japanese maples (Acer palmatum) are known for their beautiful foliage and fantastic autumn colours. The best known Japanese maple is undoubtedly ‘Acer palmatum ‘Atropurpureum’, well-loved for its purple leaves, that turn red in autumn.
Acer p. ‘Bloodgood’
Acer p. ‘Bloodgood’ has a bushy upright habit with striking, deeply cut, dark purple leaves. The foliage takes on a bright red colour in autumn
Acer p. ‘Garnet’ Acer p. ‘Little Princess’
Other fine varieties include Acer palmatum ‘Garnet’, Acer palmatum ‘Orange Dream’, Acer palmatum ‘Trompenburg’, Acer palmatum ‘Dissectum’, Acer palmatum Little Princess’
Pruning
Keep pruning to a minimum as this can ruin its attractive shape. Light pruning Acer palmatum ( Japanese maple). If necessary trim back lightly bad positioned shoots. Only carry out such pruning in July or early August.
Drastic pruning Acer palmatum ( Japanese maple). Acer palmatum bleeds their sap if pruned hard in early spring.
They are best hard pruned in November and December when they are fully dormant. So remove dead, damaged, or crossing branches in the dormant season. In this period you can also prune out small, dead twigs. Postpone hard pruning is the weather is frosty.
Acer p ‘Bloodgood’ in pot Light pruning Acer palmatum
Planting
What is the best location for a Japanese maple. Acer palmatum is always best planted in a position where it is sheltered from cold winter winds. Cold winds may damage foliage.
Feeding
Acer palmatum grown in a container. Feed with a slow-release fertiliser in spring as it comes into growth.
Plant combination
Acer palmatum looks good with Astilbe , Pachysandra, Ferns, Hostas. You could also add Choisya ‘Aztec Pearl’ and Rhododendrons.
Pachysandra terminalis
