11/24/2023 0 Comments Green japanese maple tree![]() The leaves have five lobes and the tree grows to be about 12 feet tall when mature. In the spring, the margins might have some pink hues to them, and in the fall, the margins turn red. The foliage on this tree has creamy white margins and a grayish-green center. To see a good example of this particular group, check out ‘Butterfly.’ This group is a good one to start with, because it includes basically any plant that doesn’t have distinct characteristics that put it in another category. Now, let’s take a look at each of the 17 classifications used to describe Japanese maples today. The margin is the outside edge of the leaf, and the veins extend from the petiole up through the leaf to transport water.A petiole is the little stem that attaches the leaf to the branch of the tree.Lobes on a leaf are projections that extend from a central point, like fingers.Vertrees also grouped all dwarf plants together, and had a final category called “other” for everything else.īoth classification systems are generally based on the division of the leaf lobes, variegation, and color.īefore we jump in, we need a quick leaf anatomy lesson so we are all on the same page with these terms: The five categories that overlap between Vertrees’ and the Maple Society’s are: amoenum, dissectum, linearilobum, matsumurae, and palmatum. Vertrees, a highly respected entomologist, grower, and educator based in Oregon who is generally thought of as one of the most knowledgeable Japanese maple experts in the West, grouped the plants into seven categories.įive of his categories are used by the Maple Society today, plus twelve more. capilipes, and more, along with their hybrids. palmatum is the most common, but you’ll also see the species A. This system is particularly helpful because these plants may come from one of numerous Acer species that are indigenous to Japan.Ī. They have officially broken up the broad category of Japanese maples into 17 groups, using the system defined by noted expert Cor van Gelderen, and building on the work of nurseryman Benoit Choeau. The Maple Society is a United Kingdom-based group that registers new cultivars in the Acer genus, and taps into the expertise of botanists and Japanese maple experts around the world. Using their system, you’d know if you were looking at a correctly labeled atropurpureum that it would stay red all summer long. With such easy care and beauty, nothing is more rewarding than planting a Japanese maple in the landscape.Clearly, there was a gap in the Japanese maple world that led to some labeling confusion. You can make small, corrective cuts any time of year. Cut out scraggly interior twigs and branches but leave the structural branches as they are. Pull the mulch back a few inches (8 cm.) from the trunk to prevent rot.Īny heavy pruning should be performed in late winter before the leaf buds begin to open. Cut back on the amount of water in late summer to intensify the fall color.Īdding 3 inches (8 cm.) of mulch helps the soil retain moisture and inhibits the growth of weeds. Apply the water to the root zone slowly so that the soil can absorb as much water as possible. Water the tree deeply in the absence of rain. Caring for Japanese maples in summer is mainly a matter of providing enough water to prevent stress. The trees grow well in almost any type of soil as long as it is well-drained. In addition, growing Japanese maples in a location with more exposure to bright sunlight leads to more intense fall color. You’ll see less scorching as the tree ages. When you are growing Japanese maples, the trees need a location with full sun or partial shade, but planting a Japanese maple in full sun may result in scorched leaf margins on young trees in summer, especially in hot climates. Plant them where you need to add fine texture in the garden. Use upright types as understory trees in woodland gardens. Smaller cultivars are the perfect size for shrub borders and large patio containers. Growing Japanese maples make excellent specimen or lawn trees. This variety is also sturdier in appearance and bears reddish purple flowers in spring. japonicum extends the growing area into zone 5. palmatum is hardy in USDA plant hardiness zones 6 through 8, A. Most horticulturalists refer to cultivars of Acer palmatum as Japanese maples, but a few also include A. Continue reading to learn more about how to grow a Japanese maple tree. Japanese maples are noted for their lacy, finely cut leaves, brilliant fall color, and delicate structure. With so many different sizes, colors, and leaf shapes, it’s hard to describe a typical Japanese maple, but without exception, these attractive trees with their refined growth habit are an asset to the home landscape.
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