Peter Dowdall: Why I love the Japanese maple in November
Looking out the window, which is about as much gardening as I have been able to do on a lot of the recent days because of the inclement weather, I often find myself entranced and awestruck by the sheer beauty of Japanese maples.
Their autumn foliage, which up to recently has been at its seasonal best can be so vivid, that it does create the impression that it is glowing in the otherwise dreary outdoors on those rainy days and then, on the few and far between, beautiful sunny days or hours which we have enjoyed, these beauties are positively shining in the landscape.
The classic Japanese maple, Acer palmatum, of which there are hundreds of varieties, is renowned in gardens throughout the world not just for its sensational autumn colour but also its stem structure which can be appreciated, as so delicate and intrinsic, during the winter when the tree or shrub is bare. Its habit too is so beautiful.
Depending on the variety, you may have a relatively tall open habit or a mushroom-shaped, weeping form or a really dwarf, nearly bonsaied type and everything in between.
The foliage of Japanese maples can be red, green, purple, or variegated, and it is ever-changing. The fresh new growth as it unfurls and bursts from leaf buds which lay dormant during the winter, is just so captivating and beautiful and as is the spring season, so fresh and full of promise.
During the summer then, the foliage is more constant in colour as it does its thing, giving us fresh oxygen and the nutrient and pigment levels form which will determine the display during the following autumn and early winter seasons.
It’s the shape of the foliage too, which can leave me spellbound at its beauty, the leaves can be palmate or dissected, with the latter showcasing finely cut detail.
The leaf colour of Japanese maples is influenced by genetics, sun exposure, and environmental factors.
Some popular red cultivars include Bloodgood,' and Crimson Queen. Green varieties like Seiryu and Katsura offer a more subtle yet elegant appearance. For striking variegation, Butterfly is an excellent choice.
All of them will provide you with enchanting stem structures which are most visible during the winter, making them a real feature of the garden during the quiet season but some of them also provide fantastic colour in their stems, such as the varieties Sango-kaku (coral bark maple) and Beni-kawa (red river maple).
Japanese maples generally prefer partial shade or dappled sunlight, especially during the hottest part of the day, thus a south-facing aspect facing the full sun, should be avoided. While some varieties can tolerate full sun, excessive exposure can scorch their delicate leaves. Partial shade, especially in the afternoon, helps maintain the vibrant colours and prevents leaf burn.
They will thrive in well-drained soil that is rich in organic matter. A slightly acidic to neutral pH range (pH 5.5-7.0) is ideal. The more organic matter that you can add to the soil will improve drainage and nutrient availability and in turn, lead to a better autumn colour display. Mulching around the base of the tree will of course, not just prevent weed growth but also help to retain moisture during the summer months and lessen the effects of frost during the winter.
In my experience, Japanese maples will not tolerate exposure to wind. I know a lot of Japanese maple experts will disagree with me and will say that is not the case and they just need to acclimatise and be introduced to windy sites, gradually, however, I would still opt for planting in a sheltered location.
Pruning is not normally necessary but if you need to prune, for shape or size or to remove some damaged or diseased growth, it should be done during the dormant season, in mid-winter, to minimize stress on the tree. Remove any dead, damaged, or crossing branches to improve airflow and prevent disease.
Planting Japanese maples with evergreen shrubs such as azaleas, camellias, or rhododendrons can create a beautiful contrast.
The evergreen foliage provides a backdrop for the colourful leaves of the maples, ensuring a combination with year-round interest in the garden.
Ornamental gasses like Hakonechloa macra 'Aureola' or Carex elata aurea can be planted around the base of Japanese maples, adding texture and movement to the party, particularly, if planted near a dark red-coloured maple, the contrast in colours will be beautiful and dramatic.
Finally, planting spring flowering bulbs such as tulips, daffodils, crocuses or muscaris beneath and near Japanese maples can create a stunning display. The vibrant colours of the bulbs emerging in early spring combine beautifully with the emerging foliage of the maples, signalling the arrival of the new season.
- Got a gardening question for Peter Dowdall? Email gardenquestions@examiner.ie
