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After thousands of years of collecting and breeding, there are at least a thousand different varieties of Japanese maples. Some are quite similar to each other and only of interest to collectors, but there are many unique and special forms of outstanding beauty which are very popular with all gardeners.
How do I know what kind of Japanese maple I have?
Japanese maples are identified by their rounded crown, palmately lobed leaves, and magnificent fall colors. Japanese maples can grow between 20 and 30 ft. (6 – 10 m); however, dwarf Japanese maples reach between 4 and 8 ft. (1.2 – 2.4 m).
What is the prettiest Japanese maple?
One of the most beautiful Japanese maples, ‘Aconitifolium’ offers deeply cut, fern-like green foliage that turns shades of red, orange, and yellow in fall. This tree, also called ‘Maiku Jaku’, changes up the beautiful texture you’ve come to expect from most Japanese maples.
Is there a dwarf Japanese maple tree?
Dwarf Japanese Maple Dwarf Japanese maples are slow-growing, compact trees that grow to about 3 to 8 feet in height, depending on the cultivar. They tend to have small leaves, short internodes and profuse branching.
What is the most popular Japanese maple?
1. Bloodgood. Acer palmatum ‘Bloodgood’ is one of the most popular Japanese maple trees available, featuring deep purple leaves that turn bright red in the fall – making it one of the best trees for autumn color, too. ‘With such spectacular foliage, Bloodgood is one of my favorite varieties,’ says Sons.
What is the hardiest Japanese maple?
Beni Kawa (also called Beni Gawa) is one of the most cold hardy Japanese maples. Its deep green foliage transforms into gold and crimson in fall, and the scarlet bark looks fabulous in winter snow.
Is an Acer the same as a Japanese maple?
Acer japonicum- also known as the Amur maple, this is a species native to Japan and south Korea. They tend to be more cold hardy than other Japanese maples and are ideal for bringing an architectural presence to the garden. The foliage is serrated and lobed but not as deeply dissected as some of the palmatum varieties.
Which Japanese maple is the reddest?
Acer Palmatum Osakazuki gives the reddest colour of all the Acers.
What Japanese maple stays red all year?
Red Dragon is the answer when you have a sunny location and need a tree that will not scorch. This variety is the most sun-tolerant form available and will stay fresh and happy in sunshine all day long. The leaves emerge cherry-pink in spring, turn red for the summer and become crimson in fall – a glory all year round.
Where do Japanese maples grow best?
Japanese maples grow best when planted in well-drained, acidic soil that is high in organic matter. While they can be grown in poor soil, their growth rate is much slower and trees are more likely to experience stress.
What type of Japanese maple stays small?
Acer palmatum Adrian compact is a small upright Japanese maple with a slow-growing, compact form and lovely small burgundy leaves. Adrian compact has brilliant orange Fall color. This maple prefers sun/partial shade in well-drained soil. 5′ tall x 3′ wide in 10 years.
Is there a miniature red maple tree?
Acer palmatum ‘Shaina’ is like a miniature Bloodgood! The foliage is bright purple-red in spring, and that color deepens throughout the summer, becoming bright red in the fall. The compact grows becomes quite dense as the tree ages, reaching only about 5′ tall at 10 years old.
Can dwarf Japanese maples grow in full sun?
While some can tolerate full sun, most Japanese maple varieties prefer dappled or afternoon shade, especially when young. Shade does have its limits though–they need some sun for best foliage color and to promote the more loose and open structure for which they are prized. Protection from strong winds.
What is the prettiest maple tree?
Most important of all, the Sugar Maple has amazing color. In the spring and summer, the leaves are a shade of rich green that develop shades of gold, orange and red during fall. This tree has three different traffic-stopping colors every spring, causing it to stand out as the prettiest tree on the block.
Why is my Japanese maple purple?
It is typical for the leaves of some Japanese maple cultivars to emerge a colorful purple or burgundy and then fade to a bronze green during the summer. The scorched leaf edges are due to stress and it is common to see this in Japanese maples in late summer. So, it is not surprising to see scorched leaves now.
What is the rarest Japanese maple?
Acer pentaphyllum is a very lovely elegant maple with distinct five-lobed deep green leaves. From China, this maple is considered to be perhaps the rarest maple in the wild and deserves a place in the garden. Leafs out later than most maples, hardy and strong growth to about 20 feet. Orange and red fall color.
What do you do with a Japanese maple in the winter?
Tips For Winterizing Japanese Maple Trees 1) Choose sites out of the wind as much as possible. 2) Do not fertilize into late summer. 3) Water heavily just prior to freeze-up. 4) Mulch to insulate the roots with a 3-4 inch-deep pile of mulch built around the base of the tree.
What Japanese maple is best for shade?
Maples with amazing spring color or variegation are great Japanese maples for the shade. The shade will often increase the length of the display of spring color or brighten the variegation. Maples for fall color are great Japanese maples for the shade.
What does Beni Maiko mean?
Our most popular Japanese Maple trees, ‘Beni Maiko’ translates to “red haired dancing girl”. ‘Beni Maiko’ prefers moist, well-drained soil and is best positioned in slight shade although it is tolerant of full sun.
