Acer palmatum, Acer palmatum dissectum, Acer shirasawanum, Plant Combinations, Spring Combinations, Summer Combinations, Fall Combinations
Native to Japan, Korea, and China, Japanese Maples (Acer palmatum) include a rich variety of deciduous shrubs or small trees with graceful habits, elegantly cut leaves, and extraordinarily colorful foliage, particularly in the fall when the leaves turn dazzling shades of golden-yellow, red-purple and bronze, before shedding to the ground.
While we generally do not think of Japanese Maples as flowering trees (although they do flower in spring, their blossoms are not showy from a distance), their incredibly colorful foliage and interesting leaf shapes more than offset their lack of blossoms. They display their tremendous bold greens, brilliant reds, glowing oranges, or burgundy colors for weeks, adding breathtaking beauty to the landscape.
Prized by gardeners for their lacy texture and spectacular fall colors, some varieties of Japanese Maples feature sumptuous spring colors too. Combining both types of Japanese Maples would extend their colorful impact in the garden and provide double the pleasure.
| Hardiness |
5 - 9 |
|---|---|
| Heat Zones |
2 - 8 |
| Climate Zones | 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 12, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24 |
| Plant Type | Shrubs, Trees |
| Genus | Acer |
| Exposure | Full Sun, Partial Sun |
| Season of Interest |
Spring (Early, Mid, Late) Summer (Early, Mid, Late) Fall Winter |
| Maintenance | Low |
| Water Needs | Average |
| Soil Type | Chalk, Clay, Loam, Sand |
| Soil pH | Acid, Neutral |
| Soil Drainage | Moist but Well-Drained |
| Characteristics | Showy |
| Tolerance | Rabbit |
| Landscaping Ideas | Patio And Containers, Beds And Borders, Small Gardens |
| Garden Styles | City and Courtyard, Gravel and Rock Garden, Informal and Cottage, Japanese Garden, Traditional Garden |
Combinations of forms (weeping, upright) or leaf shapes are encouraged to avoid a monotonous planting and create an ever-changing canopy season after season.
Another great possibility to extend the season of interest of your Japanese Maples to winter is to add a Japanese Maple belonging to the ‘Coral Bark’ group. As the leaves of these Maples fall, they expose the bright, coral red bark on their young twigs and branches, adding a much needed splash of color in the winter landscape. These Japanese Maples are outstanding four-season trees that are treasured by all gardeners as they grace the landscape. A must for those who appreciate winter bark interest!
A single Japanese Maple placed in a prominent place attracts attention from every part of the garden. While extraordinarily good-looking on their own, Japanese Maples however, look more charming when planted with companion plants. Well-behaved, they make perfect partners with other plants and help create strikingly beautiful combinations in the garden.
s1dumas / 123RF Stock Photo
| Hardiness |
5 - 9 |
|---|---|
| Heat Zones |
2 - 8 |
| Climate Zones | 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 12, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24 |
| Plant Type | Shrubs, Trees |
| Genus | Acer |
| Exposure | Full Sun, Partial Sun |
| Season of Interest |
Spring (Early, Mid, Late) Summer (Early, Mid, Late) Fall Winter |
| Maintenance | Low |
| Water Needs | Average |
| Soil Type | Chalk, Clay, Loam, Sand |
| Soil pH | Acid, Neutral |
| Soil Drainage | Moist but Well-Drained |
| Characteristics | Showy |
| Tolerance | Rabbit |
| Landscaping Ideas | Patio And Containers, Beds And Borders, Small Gardens |
| Garden Styles | City and Courtyard, Gravel and Rock Garden, Informal and Cottage, Japanese Garden, Traditional Garden |
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Create a membership account to save your garden designs and to view them on any device.
Becoming a contributing member of Gardenia is easy and can be done in just a few minutes. If you provide us with your name, email address and the payment of a modest $25 annual membership fee, you will become a full member, enabling you to design and save up to 25 of your garden design ideas.
Join now and start creating your dream garden!
