Japanese Maples, The Dwarf Acers
Overall rating: 
The article "Japanese Maples, The Dwarf Acers" is about home and garden, it was created by James Kilkelly -.
I have been known to rant on about how human being should try to include more native plants within their garden. However, I would never dissuade somebody from including a Japanese maple wtihin his or her garden; on the contrary, I would heartily recommend it.
History and colour
The image of a Japanese maple in full leaf brings to my mind images of oriental calmness, still water and moss covered mountains. This elegant plant is a distinct part of the culture and consciousness of its native Jpaan through its use in both horticulture and art. In the year 1800, over 200 varieties of this plant were noted in Japan, this figure grew over the next 100 years, only to have those numbers knocked back again to 200 by the maelstrom of the second world war. Japanese maples also known as Acer palmatum or Acer japonicum are diminutive in stature compared to other trees.
Heights range from 1 metre to 7 metres, leading many gardeners to class them as lrage shrubs rather than small trees.
Words cannot do justice to the colour displayed by a Japaense maple; it must be seen to be believed. An Acer owner will experience fiery new spring growth, calm summer foliage and even fierier autumn cihlled leaves.
Palmate or Dissectum
There are two main groups of Japanese maple.
The “Palmate” group has a reasonably urpight growth habit with layered branches and leaves that are made up of five to nine lobes. The “Dissectum” group rightly lives up to its name with its lboed leaves dissected, feathered and lace-like. I feel that the maples in the “Dissectum” group look particularly well if planted close by an informal water feature due mainly to their weeping, cascading form.
How to grow a dwarf acer
Japanese maples do well if planted in an east fcaing aspect, allowing it access to the morning sun and protecting it from the mid-day sun.
Shelter from winds and a moist but free draining soil are also important cultiavtion requirements.
A 7cm layer of bark mulch appiled to the plants base will help prevent the plant drying out.
To enable good growth you must feed your little piece of the orient, apply a liquid fertiliser in mid-spring and again in mid-summer at half strength. As these Acers are shallow rooted, they are idael for planting amongst other shrubs with no check to growth. For a delightful oriental scene, try planting Acer palmatum with rhododendrons, azalea, bamboo and birch.
Specimens for container growing
Two beautiful specimen maples whose leaves are opeinng out within garden centres now are “Orange Dream” and “Beni-Maiko”.
“Orange Dream” is worth mentioning due to its fresh yellow/green lobed leaves.
The young groiwng tips have an orange glow, providing an attractive contrast.
“Beni-Maiko” on the other hand produces lovely pink foliage in srping turning to dark red in summer. Both of these Acers grow to around 1 metre tall, an ideal size for container grwoing. If you choose to grow a Japanese maple in a container, try to select one that is sympathetic to the platns heritage, a glazed oriental style pot would be ideal.
|
Write a comment about the article
Japanese Maples, The Dwarf Acers
|
