Cultural Maintenance: NOTE Pruning: Planting New Trees:

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1 Cultural Maintenance: When choosing the site for a Japanese maple, be sure to select one that is sheltered from strong winds and severe afternoon heat. Most respond best to a spot that receives full morning sun and afternoon shade. A bright, north or east side of a house is usually ideal because it is sheltered from wind and the heat. A spot that receives intermittent shade from larger deciduous trees is also appropriate for hot areas on the south or west side of the house. The ideal soil is a sandy loam and must be well drained and consistently moist without being overly wet. If clay is apparent, add compost, sand, and peat moss to lighten the soil or consider a raised bed to lift the tree s roots and create a specimen site. Provide consistent watering throughout the growing season, especially with newly planted trees. Also remember to water in the morning or the early evening to avoid scorching the leaves in the summer midday sun. With this said, however, slow down on the watering in late summer to allow the trees to begin to enter dormancy properly. Established Japanese maples will thrive without additional irrigation as long as they are properly mulched to maintain even soil moisture. The key to irrigation is uniformity rather than quantity, i.e. consistent, even watering rather than large amount few and far between. Fertilizer requirements are not intense; one light feeding in spring prior to leaf emergence is adequate as they are not heavy feeders. A useful step is to mulch the trees with compost or bark mulch to protect the roots from winter freezing and hot, dry conditions in summer. NOTE: If your Japanese maple is planted in a bed surrounded by annuals and perennials, do not fertilize after mid summer. Fertilizing these beds into the fall will continue to encourage new growth on the maple and will hinder the dormancy that should start to occur in mid summer. Failure to be properly dormant can cause die back and winter damage on the maple s shoots that often does not appear until the following spring. Pruning: The pruning needs of Japanese maples consist of removing dead or damaged wood and any small crossed shoots in the fall and opening up the tree s centre to allow for air circulation. Any pruning to shape should be done sparingly and in the late summer to early fall when the sap has slowed. This type of pruning should not be done in winter or early spring to prevent die back and/or infection of cut stems. Any major spring pruning can result in bleeding stems and possible infection. Shaping of your Japanese maple should be done slowly and from the inside to the outside. Stand back and study the tree s shape carefully and try to visualize the form before making the cut and removing the branch. These efforts will reward themselves in the long run when you have a beautifully shaped tree. Planting New Trees: Japanese maples have a fibrous root system that will predominantly grow in the top layer of the soil. This allows for companion plants and shrubs to be planted nearby without the fear of competition from the maples. New trees can be planted in spring or fall. When planting in spring, be sure to water deeply at least twice a week and never let the Japanese maple dry out! It leaf tip burn occurs, the tree may be getting too much afternoon sun or not enough water. In extreme drought conditions, the maple may lose all of its leaves. This is the tree s way of protecting itself against lack of water and new growth should start to appear within a few weeks after a thorough soaking is given to the root zone. When planting in the fall, try and plant at least 4 6 weeks before the ground freezes to allow for new feeder roots to develop and establish. This will also make for a better start to new growth in the spring. Be sure to water regularly and deeply until the ground freezes and the tree has become dormant. Many people forget that newly planted trees require a lot of water even in the fall until the

2 winter rains begin. Mulching will also help maintain consistently moist soil at this and will help to insulate the roots through the coming winter. NOTE: When applying mulch, keep it a few inches away from the trunk to allow for proper air circulation. In winter, remember to watch your Japanese maples and remove any snow accumulation as soon as possible to prevent branch breakage. Do not allow the branches to freeze to the ground as this will prevent the tree s ability to move and branch cracking or breakage may be more prevalent. Japanese Maples in Containers: Many people choose to grow and display their Japanese maples in containers to allow for the best viewing in their landscapes. This is not difficult, but it does require some attention. In containers, Japanese maples prefer full sun through the morning and open shade in the afternoons. Some may be grown in warmer sites as long as their roots are kept cool from the afternoon heat. Regular irrigation is essential for container grown maples to ensure beautiful foliage. With regard to soil, choose a well draining potting soil mixed with a clean compost blend like Sea Soil. The container itself can be any well constructed wooden box or frost proof decorative pot as long as there are several drainage holes. A container that is somewhat broader than it is high is suitable to provide proper stability. As the tree grows, the container s size should be increased slowly every few years. NOTE: Never plant a small tree into a large container. This will overwhelm the small root system and slow the tree s growth. 1 year old trees require approximately 2 gallons of soil; 3 year old trees require about 5 gallons of soil. From this size, you may want to transplant to a patio container of about 15 gallons once the tree has outgrown the 5 gallon. With regard to fertilizer, it is much more important than with trees in ground. A balanced fertilizer with complete micronutrients is best applied at the lowest recommended amount. A liquid feed such as Miracle Gro can be applied from spring bud break until the end of July or a slow release be used. NOTE: Japanese maples do not require a high nitrogen fertilizer. Pruning of container grown Japanese maples is important since these trees will be viewed from a close position and their winter silhouettes are essential attributes. Light pruning or pinching can be done in spring to direct growth. Do not remove any branches larger than a pencils width. Any other pruning can be performed in late summer or, early fall to limit growth or remove any lanky shoots. Root pruning of containerized maples must be done every 3 5 years. Young trees need to have any long, circling roots removed, and larger, older trees should have any large, woody roots removed and/or remove the outside 2 6 inches of roots. Replace the tree within the same pot with new soil added to the bottom and sides. A liquid application of Transplanter at this time will help in encouraging the new root tips to grow. It has been demonstrated that root damage can occur in container grown Japanese maples at 10 C so some attention must be given to winter care. If the container is too heavy to move and the tree must be protected during the winter months or during a cold snap, wrap the planter with a thin, poly foam sheeting and then with several layers of burlap this will safe guard against any root damage due to cold temperatures. Small containers can be set in beds of mulch or sawdust to provided insulation of the roots. The mulch must cover the top 2 5 inches of the container with the top of the tree exposed. This will allow the maples to survive temperatures of 18 C once they have properly entered dormancy.

3 Ao Shime Atrolineare Atropurpureum (Red Ribbonleaf) SP & & Orange F: Bright Red SP: Purple, SU: Red/Green, Acer palmatum Great compact form with exceptional fall color. Great for smaller yards. Grows slowly. Ribbon leaf Japanese Maple has attractive dark green foliage with coppery bronze undersides which emerges dark red in spring. The small deeply cut ferny palm shaped leaves are ornamentally significant and turn an outstanding red in the fall. Great for large patio pot, or as focal point for lawn or borders Beni Komachi SP: Red, Gorgeous dwarf specimen for smaller gardens. Gorgeous fall colour. Beni Otake SP & SU: Dark Crimson Red, F: Crimson Red Gorgeous dark foliage throughout the spring and summer. Distinctive bamboo like appearance. Bloodgood SP: Deep Crimson, SU: Red, F: Deep Crimson Excellent for smaller gardens to create interest all year round Burgundy Lace SP & S: Purple/Red F: Orange/Yellow/Copper A heavily branched maple that can get up to 15 tall and wide. Spring and summer foliage is spectacular. Butterfly Chishio SP & with white margins SP: Crimson,, & Orange Very dependable, easy to grow, slow growing, small stature. Prefers part shade and welldrained soil. Very dense growing tree. Beautiful crimson red foliage in spring and bright orange in fall. Cynthia s Crown Jewel SP: Green with Pink edges SU: Light Green 2 3 A gorgeous dwarf Japanese Maple. Foliage has stunning colours in spring and fall. Emperor SP: Purple/Red, SU: Burgundy F: Deep Crimson Similar to Bloodgood, but retains leaf colour even better in the summer. Fireglow Goshiki Kotohime Hubb s Red Willow Japanese Sunrise Kagiri Nishiki SP: Red, SU: Burgundy/Red SP: Variegated Pink & Red, F: Yellow & Orange SP & SU: Dark Red SP: Light Green,, F: Yellow, Gold & Crimson SP &, White & Pink F: Green, White & Dark Pink 4 5 One of the best dwarf red leaved Japanese maples. Retains colour all summer. Very slow growing perfect for bonsai or container planting. Beautifully variegated foliage in spring. Great for smaller gardens, gorgeous dark red foliage in spring and summer. Very similar to the Coral Bark Maple. Can handle full sun or part shade. A very slow growing Japanese Maple with gorgeous white, green and pink variegated leaves. The pink in the leaves is more pronounced in fall. Kamagata SP & with Red Edges Great dwarf Japanese Maple with gorgeous

4 Katsura Kinran Koto No Ito Mikawa Yatsubusa Orange Dream Oregon Sunset Orido Nishiki Osakazuki Palmatum (Plain Green) Red Emperor Acer palmatum F: Bright Red green leaves edged in red. Leaves turn bright red in fall. Perfect for container planting or bonsai. SP: Orange/Yellow, S: Green, F: Orange & Yellow SP: Red F: Yellow & Red SP & F: Yellow, Orange, Red SP & F: Yellow & Red SP: Yellow F: Orange & Yellow SP: Red, SU: Burgundy F: Crimson & Orange SP: Bright Pink SU: White, Pink & Green F: Orange & Yellow SP: Olive orange F: Crimson red SP & F: Orange & yellow SP & SU: Burgundy F: Bright Red ' ' Gorgeous spring & fall colour. Can be kept dwarf, easy to maintain This Japanese Maple is perfect for container growing. Fabulous fall foliage sets this maple apart. Very fine thread like leaves, Fabulous fall colour Extremely compact growing with exceptional fall colors. Great for small spaces and near water features. Very rare. Exceptional show of fall colours. Performs best when planted in afternoon shade. Extremely slow growing, dwarf Japanese Maple. Gorgeous fall colours. Delicate pink, white and green variegated leaves retain their colour throughout the season. Plant in an area protected from wind. Bright green in summer. Brilliant crimson red in the fall. Very reliable grower. The hardiest of all Japanese Maples. This variety has spectacular fall colour. Strong & reliable grower. Keeps its dark colours in shade. Red Pygmy dish purple F: Bright red Leaves turn bright red in fall. Great for smaller yards or container growing. Sango Kaku (Coral Bark Maple) SP: Yellow SU: Light Green F: Gold 15 20' Bright green leaves have red margins and turn gorgeous yellow in fall. The young branches are red and get brighter as the weather gets cooler. A great choice for year round interest. Seiryu SP: Purple Known for its lacy beautiful green foliage in spring and summer, turning to bright red in the fall. Great around your patio and in planters. Shaina (Witches Broom) Sharp s Pygmy New Shidava Gold SP: Red, SU: Maroon SP & SP & SU: Bright Green F: Golden Yellow 3 4 Upright/compact two toned red. Bright red turning to maroon. Sport of Bloodgood. Very slow growing compact & dense Japanese Maple. Leaves turn orange & red in fall. Great for container planting. Exceptional dwarf Japanese Maple with gorgeous bright green foliage. Can handle part shade. Shirazz SP: Red This slow growing Japanese Maple has

5 Shishigashira (Lions Head Maple) Skeeter s Broom Suminagashi Toyama Nishiki Trompenburg Twombly s Red Sentinel Ukigumo (Floating Clouds Maple) New Verkade s Jacus Potus Villa Taranto Winter Flame SU: Crimson Pink SP &, & Orange F: Crimson Red F: Crimson Red SP: Greenish Red, Red, Pink & White F: Orange SP: Red SU: Maroon, SP &SU: Dark Red F: Warm Red SP & S: Variegated White & Pink F: Orange SP: Dark Burgundy, SU:Pink Red F: Bright Crimson SP: Coral pink, SU: Light Green F: Golden Yellow SP: Lime Green F: Yellow & Orange Acer palmatum gorgeous crimson pink leaves all summer long. Prefers moist, well drained soil. Great for container growing or as a specimen tree in any yard. Heavily curled leaves give this tree a very unique look. Wonderful fall colours that are most intense when planted in full sun. Great compact, mounding habit. Dark purple stems give this Japanese Maple winter interest ' A neat red leaved variety of Japanese maple that can withstand full sun. It holds its red colour well in summer even if given afternoon shade. Stunningly unique foliage on this dwarf, compact grower. Needs morning sun and afternoon shade. Leaves emerge red turning to dark red in summer and gorgeous bright red in fall. Perfect for any West Coast garden. Very vigorous growing with an usually compact and upright habit. Leaves maintain their color throughout the year. Gorgeous white, green and pink variegated leaves make this Japanese Maple stand out against all others. Performs best when planted in light shade. It cannot handle full sun in summer. One of the newest Japanese Maples available. Very rare and hard to find. Gorgeous feather like foliage. Delicate, thread like leaves with gorgeous fall colour. Excellent choice for containers. Smaller and more compact version of the Coral Bark Maple. Fabulous fall colours. Bright red stems give gorgeous winter interest. Name Crimson Queen Acer palmatum dissectum (Laceleaf) SP: Burgundy/Red F: Bright Red 2 6 One of the classics! Purple red into summer, turning scarlet in fall. Emerald Lace SP: Green, F: Orange then Crimson 6 Very fine foliage with a vigorous growth habit. New Everred SP & SU: Deep Red F: Bright Red Wonderfully reliable weeping Maple. Foliage retains it s color throughout the season.

6 Filigree New Flavescens Acer palmatum dissectum (Laceleaf) SP & SU: Yellow Green F: Golden Yellow SP: Bright Green, SU: Deep Green F: Yellow & Orange Cascading, drooping branches are covered with yellowish green leaves, which are speckled with flecks of cream and gold. Leaves turn golden in autumn. A very unique and hard to find maple. Intense fall colours make this a winner for any garden! Garnet SP: Bright Red SU: Garnet, Orange, Purple 2 6 Dramatic weeping habit that looks spectacular draping over walls, steps and slopes. Germaine s Gyration SP & S: Green F: Yellow A very unusual twisting growth habit. This selection naturally contorts as it grows creating very intricate spirals. One of the fastest growing weeping maples. Inabe Shidare Lemon Lime Lace Lion Heart Orangeola Ornatum Pendulum Julian SP: Green F: Copper, Red and Yellow SP: Lemon Yellow SU: Lime & Scarlet F: Yellow, Orange & Red SP: Orange/Red SP: Bronze orange SU: Bronze green F: Orange, Red & Yellow SP: Brown, & red F: Orange & yellow Red Dragon SP: Cherry Red 2 6 Tamukeyama Viridis Waterfall SP: Crimson SU: Purple/Red F: Crimson SP: Deep green, & yellow SP: Green F: Copper, Orange, Red, Yellow Cascading branches purple/red. Crimson in fall. A classic weeper. New growth emerges lemon yellow turning to lime green with scarlet overtones in summer. Great dwarf, compact habit. A gorgeous red laceleaf maple with a unique growth habit. It grows with a semi upright habit that is less pendulous than most other red dissectums. Very vigorous grower. Fall colours are bright scarlets. Cascading, very heat tolerant, wonderful range of colours. This tree is popular for its bronze orange leaf colour in spring and early summer turning bronze green in late summer. Fall will bring a blazing display of orange red. A mushroom shaped bush form Japanese Maple. Weeping, mushroom like, dark purple into fall, keeps its dark foliage through summer. A beautiful deep red, weeping habit and red bark overcast with white, excellent for use in patio containers. Delicate, feathery, deep green foliage & arching branches, great fall foliage. A strongly weeping tree that is wonderful over a bank or rock wall, cascading branches, very elegant with age

7 Aconitiflolium Green Cascade Meigetsu Vitifolium Name Aureum (Golden Full Moon) Autumn Moon Jordan Moonrise SP: Green,, Orange, Yellow SP & F: Orange, Yellow & Red SP & S: Green & orange SP: Deep Green, F: Scarlet/gold/orange/yellow SP, yellow & Orange SP, SU: Yellow Green F: Orange SP: Lemon Yellow SU: Yellow Green SP: Pink & Orange SU: Yellow Green Acer japonicum ' Acer shirasawanum A unique tree perfect as a focal point in the garden. Amazing range of fall colors, holds onto foliage late into fall. Gorgeous green ornate leaves with a unique weeping/mounding habit. Beautiful fall colours of red, orange & yellow make this tree a real show stopper. A sparsely branched tree that is best suited in larger gardens. Very large and beautiful deep green leaves turn a fabulous mix of scarlet, gold, orange and yellow in the fall. Grows compact and dense. Slow grower. Exquisite specimen tree for shady areas. Gorgeous bronze gold leaves throughout the spring and summer turning bright orange in fall. Plant in an area with morning sun and afternoon shade to prevent the leaves from burning. The bright foliage on this Maple is a great way to brighten up the shady area of the garden. It can tolerate some sun but plant in mostly shade for best results. Much hardier than any other Full Moon maple. New growth starts out a gorgeous pink and orange blend turning yellow green for summer. Prefers full shade but can tolerate morning sun.