Japanese Maples

Just recently I have discovered Japanese Maples and have come to really love them. For the way they subtly change and have a strong influence on the look and feel of a garden or landscape.

They show the changing of the seasons beautifully and if done right gives a real good style.

The next 3 photos - Japanese Maple seen on an Illinois property showing their mostly red and with one showing gold Autumn colours

Photo's source: http://dearhunterlove.blogspot.com.au/search?updated-max=2012-01-01T10:19:00-08:00&max-results=20&start=47&by-date=false

 In general the term 'Japanese Maple' refers to the several hundred cultivars of Acer palmatum. The cultivars and variaties have been bred, selected, and propagated for more than 300 years by the Japanese.

Types of leaves from different Japanese Maples

Photo source: http://plantwerkz.blogspot.com.au/2012/04/japanese-maple-acer-palmatum.html

Japanese Maples are remarkably adaptable to soil and climatic conditions and thrive well in Melbourne

Form & habit; Used as specimen plants and companion plants. Most upright cultivars attain a height of 8-9m, depending on site and conditions. Many mature as large shrubs at 5 m or less, while mature cultivars in the Dwarf Group rarely exceed 2m.

Green varieties take full sun very well. In really hot places, sunburn may occur, but arvo sun and adequete water may prevent this. The red varieties like some shade but cannot develop their deep red colours without full sun for at least part of the day.

Some information on their management:

In pots; With proper but not over demanding care, maples can be grown in pots for several years without repotting or root pruning. The larger varieties also grow well in tubes or large permanent containers because of the fibrous root system are able to utilise the limited area without binding or chocking themselves easily.

Planting; Becuase of their root systems planting in soils with hard stratum, bedrock close to the surface or really difficult areas is allowed. these plants do an excellent job in these difficult areas, but with adequate root coverage and attention to uniform moisture supply - not large amounts, but rather constant amounts. 

Mulching; Serving to maintain weed-free conditions, to minimize water loss and to provide winter protection for the roots. A new Maple needs several years for the root system to establish and competition from grass roots is especially intense. Hence the area needs the area needs to be weed free for the first 2-3 years and mulching can keep it that way after. When established, the shoots of most Japanese Maples can stand temperature down to -18 degrees and below and the roots are protected in the deeper soil. But the a newly planted maple are less resistant, hence the importance of correct mulching - a 5cm layer of coarse wood-free bark with an average ship size of about 2 cm

Soils; There are ideal soils, however Maples adapt well on less than perfect soils of most types. The site must be reasonably well-drained.
 
I have recently moved to Carlton and my new house mate has a nice Japanese maple, it had lost its leaves and has been pruned by her mum :)

If you want to prune. Major pruning, corrective pruning and training should be done during the dormant season, from late autumn to midwinter, especially before the sap starts rising.

If you want to find any more and or detailed information, any book by J.D. Vertrees, I definitely recommend.

Heres a nice Japanese Maple. Together with the 3 rocks making a nice Japanese style lil front garden

References

Dear Hunter, 2011, An Illinois House by Frank Lloyd Wright, <http://dearhunterlove.blogspot.com.au/search?updated-max=2012-01-01T10:19:00-08:00&max-results=20&start=47&by-date=false>.

Plant Werkz, undated, Japanese Maple – Acer Palmertum, <http://plantwerkz.blogspot.com.au/2012/04/japanese-maple-acer-palmatum.html>.

Vertrees, JD 2007, Timber Press Pocket Guide To Japanese Maples, Timber Press, Portland, Oregon.