DIY Network

Gardening Basic: Japanese Maples Graceful Japanese maples can add beauty and elegance to your landscape. From "Dirt On Gardening" episode DDOG-108

Many Japanese maples exhibit deep red colors.

Japanese Maples are ancient, elegant trees, and people are naturally drawn to their rich fall-like colors and classic shape. DIY's The Dirt on Gardening offers you some tips on picking the right variety of Japanese maple for your location and climate. Scott Paris, a nurseryman who specializes in Japanese maples, talks with Kristine Hanson about Japanese maples.

Below are a few basic guidelines for selecting and planting these strikingly beautiful trees.

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	Lace-leaf varieties of Japanese maple are among the most popular.
	The red dragon is a weeping variety with long, lacy leaves.
	A broader leafed Japanese maple.
	When selecting a maple, consider whether you'll be planting in sun or shade. Some varieties thrive best in one or the other.

Why Choose a Japanese Maple?

• They have an irresistible appearance, have timeless beauty and interesting color and foliage.
  
• Japanese maples are versatile and they can grow almost anywhere in the US.
  
• Japanese maples can grow well in a variety of settings--planted in the ground or in a container, on a hillside or in large groupings.

• Japanese maples come in a range of shapes and sizes, and more than 400 varieties.
  The most common and widely grown is the lace-leaf group.
  
• Among the most coveted are the red leaf varieties like 'Crimson Queen,' 'Red Dragon' and 'Garnet'.

• Do you want red or green leaves?
  
• Do you prefer lace leaf or broad leaf?
  
• Do you want an upright-growing or weeping tree?
  
• Will you be planting the tree in sun or shade?

• Maples are typically hardy and not as difficult to grow as you might expect.
  
• Most can be grown in partial shade or full sun (zones 5-9).
  
• Well-drained soil is a must.
  
• When selecting a planting location, avoid spots that are exposed to heavy winds.

Shade vs. Sun

Many people think of Japanese maples as growing best in shady settings but there are varieties, like the seiryu maple, that actually thrive well in full sun and heat. That particular type offers an attractive bright, yellowish fall color. The crimson queen or red dragon are classic varieties with rich, red color, and they will acclimate to the sun. If you plant these in a sunny location, be sure to water frequently. There are also treatments available that will help them thrive better in the heat.

Fertilizing

Scott recommends avoiding use of fertilizers on maples planted in sunny locations since the nitrogen components can cause the leaves to burn. In the nursery, he fertilizes maples in the fall and early spring, and lets them grow naturally over the warm season.

Container Planting

Maples can be grown in containers, and that's an ideal method if you want to display one on a deck, porch or patio. If you want to plant maple in a container, use as large a container as feasible to avoid the plant becoming root-bound.

GUESTS :
Scott Paris
High Hand Nursery
Loomis, CA
www.highhandnursery.com