Great Japanese Maples for Containers

Japanese Maples – Container Planting Tips

• Most Japanese Maples are hardy to zone 5. However, when grown in a container, they are more sensitive to cold. If growing your Japanese Maple in zone 5, protect it in winter. The roots of maples in pots are vulnerable to frost over winter, so wrap your container with bubble wrap, held in place with garden twine.
• Select a site sheltered from cold winds, where your Japanese Maple can enjoy morning or late afternoon sun. Usually, the best leaf color is obtained in partial shade, although full sun can be tolerated. The green varieties of Japanese Maples take full sun very well, though they may slightly sunburn in particularly hot situations. Variegated cultivars prefer partial shade and need protection from the blistering afternoon sun. The red varieties need significant sunlight to color well, while yellows require more shade.
• Plant your Japanese Maple in a loam-based compost, which enables good drainage and has a high level of organic matter. Keep the compost evenly moist but not soaking wet.
• Minimum fertilization is required to keep a nice leaf coloration. Feed in spring and early summer with a slow-release fertilizer or liquid feed.
• Your Maple will need repotting into a slightly bigger container every two years. Mid-spring or late summer are perfect months to do this.
• Japanese Maples need little pruning. If pruning is necessary, prune during the dormant season and avoid pruning in spring when the sap is running. Remove badly-placed or crossing shoots to encourage a lovely branch pattern. If you need to reduce height and width, follow long branches back to a side branch and prune it out at this point.