Japanese Maple
Japanese maples, also known as Acers, are attractive trees with stunningly vibrant autumn and spring foliage. Some varieties have brightly coloured bark & stems.
Yates Account
Join now
Create a Yates account today!
Sign up to join the Yates Garden Club for monthly e-mails packed with seasonal inspiration, tips for success & exclusive promotions.
Plus if you’re a Garden Club member you can take part in the Yates Growing Community - a blog to share successes, get advice & win prizes in fun challenges along the way!
Forgot password
Enter the email address associated with your account, and we'll email you a new password.
Japanese maples (Acer palmatum and cvs.) are attractive, graceful trees with stunning, intensely hued foliage that changes from spring through to autumn. No matter the time of year, acers always draw the eye.
Acers have many leaf forms and shapes, so they're superb for providing texture, sculptural form and pops of colour in a planting plan. Several varieties also feature very brightly coloured bark and stems.
Although large cultivars are available, acers are usually small to medium-sized trees, suitable for a home garden. They're very slow growing.
How to Grow Japanese Maple in a Garden
- Choose a sunny or partly shaded spot in the garden and prepare the planting area well by digging in Yates Dynamic Lifter Organic Plant Food.
- Dig a hole in the prepared area, place the plant in the bottom of the planting hole, gently backfill around the plant’s root ball with soil then water well.
- Reapply Yates Dynamic Lifter Organic Plant Food around the root zone every 8 weeks from spring until mid-autumn to promote good soil health.
- Mulch with an organic mulch, like bark chips, wood chips or pea straw, then water in well.
How to Grow Japanese Maple in a Pot
- Choose a generous pot, at least 500mm wide and deep. Position in full sun or part shade and protect from strong winds and harsh midday sun. Dwarf varieties are best suited for growing in a pot.
- Fill chosen pots with quality potting mix, such as Yates Premium Potting Mix.
- Plant into pot and water in well. Reapply Yates Dynamic Lifter Organic Plant Food around the root zone every 8 weeks from spring until mid-autumn to promote good soil health. Keep the maple well watered and nourished.
Growing Tips
- Strong, drying winds can cause unsightly leaf scorching to Japanese Maples, especially if they're in full summer sun. Some cultivars (particularly the fine-leafed types) need a sheltered position and part shade to preserve their foliage from summer scorching, but others are more tolerant of drying winds.
- Apply mulch and fertilise each spring.
- Japanese Maples generally don't need pruning; only trim off dead or damaged branches, during winter dormancy.
- Some cultivars can be used as bonsai plants.
Dwarf Pōhutukawa
Dwarf Pōhutukawa (AKA Pacific Rata or Tahitian Pohutukawa) is a fantastic flowering shrub or small tree ideal for use as a feature plant, hedge or screen.
Daphne
Daphne is an evergreen shrub with glossy green leaves and beautifully fragrant flowers in shades of white and pink. Grow in the garden or in pots.
Smoke Bush
Smoke Bush is an ideal shrub to add a splash of foliage colour to gardens. It provides year-round seasonal interest and looks fabulous in both gardens and pots.
Recommended products
Yates Dynamic Lifter Organic Plant Food
Releases nutrients slowly, improves the structure and moisture retention of the soil and encourages earthworms and beneficial soil micro-organisms.
Yates Premium Potting Mix
A premium potting mix, ideal for all potted plants and shrubs, including ornamentals, fruit trees, vegies and herbs.
Share
Share this article on social media