Japanese maple - Acer palmatum

Japanese maple - Acer palmatum

Location & care

The Japanese maple is a sensitive tree with quite specific requirements for its location. It likes a sunny spot but does not tolerate strong midday sun, so we recommend picking a spot in partial shade. Make sure that the Acer does not get too much direct sunlight, especially in summer, as this may damage its leaves. It can withstand the cold well in winter, so you can leave the Japanese maple outside in temperatures of up to -10 degrees Celsius.
The Acer also prefers to grow in airy and well-drained peat soil as this ensures that the roots have enough room to expand and grow well. The Japanese maple prefers acidic potting soil, so be careful with potting soil containing calcium or hard clay, which is not good for the roots. You can plant the maple in both pots and open ground. If you plant the Acer in a flower pot, make sure that there are holes at the bottom of the pot so excess water can drain away, preventing the roots from rotting. This is especially important in summer, when you may need to water the plant up to twice a day. Always give small amounts of water at a time so that the roots can absorb it properly. Plants in open ground they require watering less often and we recommend using spring water instead of tap water, to keep the soil acidic.
Finally, fertilisation is very important for the Acer. Give the plant organic fertiliser around twice per year to stimulate its growth. The right nutrition will ensure that the plant becomes stronger and remains beautiful for longer.

Pruning for the loveliest shape

The Japanese maple is a fairly fast growing plant that grows evenly. This means the shrub almost always has a beautiful shape, so pruning the Acer is not essential — it will also remain healthy without pruning. The most common reason for pruning is to keep the shrub nice and compact. The best time to do this is at the end of June or start of July, when the flow of sap tails off again. and cutting away dead wood and withered twigs is easy. Always respect the natural shape of the plant to keep it as beautiful as possible. You can prune your Japanese maple again in early spring if it has been damaged by frost or a lack of nutrition. The best time to do this is around the end of March, just before the new buds start to appear. Again, you can cut away dead branches back to the living parts of the plant, but be careful not to cut into the living wood. This can result in significant sap loss and in the worst case, the tree may die.
If you would like more detailed information about pruning Acers, then read our article about pruning the Japanese maple.

Buying a Japanese maple

Bakker.com has an extensive range of beautiful Japanese maples. The Acer comes in all kinds of beautiful colours, from red to green, and from yellow to purple, and there are even Japanese maples that change colour with the season. As they are hardy, you can enjoy these colour contrasts all year round. The plants also come in various sizes: from the Acer palmatum 'Atropurpureum', which can grow to a height of 2 metres, to Acer shirasawanum 'Moonrise', which is looks charming on a table. If we have inspired you to plant an Acer in your garden, then order your favourite now at Bakker.com