GardYard: Growing a Japanese Maple Tree in Your Garden

This stunning small deciduous tree from the family Aceraceae that origins from Japan is a beautiful ornamental tree that grows a height of 1.5 up to 3 m in height. The Japanese maples brings color and texture to every garden with it’s its beautiful leaves that have deep notches, and are noted for their bright orange-red, red, red wine and red autumn colors, which are located on a beautiful wide canopy. If you are enchanted by this beautiful tree and desperately want to have it on your garden there are some basic things you should know first. Our short guide on planting and caring for your Japanese maple will surely help you have a beautiful and healthy plant in your garden, Just browse through our useful tips to learn everything you need to know. And don’t worry – growing Japanese maples is quite easy!

Planting, Watering and Fertilizing

Plant your young Japanese maple plant in a semi shaded location. Older plans can tolerate sun without a problem. However, have in mind that you should avoid planting your maple in full sun. Japanese maples don’t like wet, soggy soil. Don’t over water your plant. Sometimes even rainfall is enough. During summer water your maple on weekly basis. Water the roots – do not sprinkle the leaves as sunshine will cause scorched marks on them. Fertilize only in spring using a low nitrogen fertilizer.

Growing a Japanese Maple in Container

If you want to plant and grow your Japanese maple in a container – just choose a smaller variety and you are good to go. Try varieties like Butterfly, Hoshi kuzu, Red Dragon, Pixie or Waterfall. Choosing a good container is also important. The rootball to fit comfortably inside and the pot should also provide good drainage. Allow soil to dry between watering. Water only when soil feels dry or just slightly moist and cool. You should also pay attention to the soil type – it should be a well draining soil. A container Japanese maple should be fertilized weekly through spring and mid summer with a half strength liquid fertilizer. Stop fertilizing after July.

Winter Care

Japanese maples are deciduous trees and they go dormant during winter. This allows the plant to rest. In colder climates you should protect your plant, especially if it is grown in a pot. Bury larger pots in the ground over winter if possible, or keep them in an area that is protected from cold. If your plant is grown in the ground cover with mulch over the roots, just keep the mulch no closer than four inches from the trunk.

Pruning

If you want to prune your Japanese maple then do it selectively. This way you can prune anytime of the year. However, winter and summer are the seasons when pruning a Japanese maple is the easiest. Why winter? When the leaves are gone you can easily see the branch structure and make the right cuts. Summer pruning on the other hand stimulates less growth so you can get away with a little more and the tree will stay thinned out longer. Never remove more than one-fifth of a Japanese maple’s crown to avoid stress and unsightly growth.

Japanese Garden

Maples are a must have plant if you want to design a Japanese garden. If you seek inspiration for a Japanese garden design or just want to admire some beautiful old Japanese maple specimens explore the Portland Japanese Garden located within Washington Park in the west hills of Portland, Oregon, USA. Experience peace, harmony, and tranquility and witness the beauty of extraordinary Japanese maples…