Special Trees for Special Places —
10 Japanese Maples for Landscape Success By Heather Prince
We love the layered grace or the del-
catwaterfall of lacy foliage that Japanese maples bring to our landscapes. From the elegant horizontal branching and deep burgundy foliage of a Bloodgood to the spill of finely cut foliage and fiery fall color of Tamukeyama, these trees bring a refinement to our garden spaces and can delight us for many years. This winter was a true test of siting these sensitive trees and many were lost to cold temperatures and harsh winds. Will we see these difficult winter conditions again? Perhaps. We talked to Tim Gruner, Garden Curator & Head of Horticulture at Anderson Japanese Gardens in Rockford about his recommendations for siting, care, and cultivar choices. Japanese Maple ‘Orion’ Rockford saw -31 degrees at its coldest, so in many ways, it was a true test of temperature tolerances of landscape plants. The most important factor when siting a Japanese maple is winter wind. “I’ve found that you can push their sun tolerance if they are in a protected area,” reported Gruner. The majority of our winter winds in the Midwest come out of the north and northwest. Remember those Alberta Clippers? Japanese maples have a delicate twig and thin bark. They can easily desiccate in the onslaught of winter winds. Paper tree wrap can make a big difference on trunks to prevent frost cracking. 16
The best spot for a Japanese maple is usually the east where it can get the gentle morning sun and if tucked against a building or fence, or with other plantings, protection from wind. When planting Japanese maples, decent drainage is appreciated. “We have such a mishmash of soils at Anderson between areas that were filled in when they dug the ponds to native soils with a nice clay-loam balance,” commented Gruner. “When we create a new garden area in a challenging spot, we will often bring in high grade soil.” Soil alkalinity isn’t typically an issue with this type of maple, but their longterm health will be challenged in a heavy, wet, clay soil. When planting consider, “Planting a little high so that the crown drains off makes a big difference,” recommends Gruner. Once you know your site and your soil, it’s time to find a cultivar that suits your space and design goals. There are thousands of kinds of Japanese maples, but here are 10 that offer a mix of textures, colors, and sizes, are readily available, and are zone 5 hardy. In general, Japanese maples are slow growing, although the larger cultivars can be a little quicker. When choosing a Japanese maple, make sure it is listed to your zone’s hardiness. (continued on page 18)
The Landscape Contractor October 2019
