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Red Dirt Ramblings®

Firmly rooted in the Oklahoma soil

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Japanese maples in the Oklahoma landscape

13 October, 2010 By Dee Nash

by Dee Nash
13 October, 201010 June, 2019Filed under:
  • Basics
  • Fall
  • Trees and shrubs

‘Shindeshojo’ japanese maple on the north side of the garage

Next to roses, nothing is more beautiful than a well grown Acer palmatum. When their leaves unfurl, Japanese maples are beautiful in spring. Then, they bloom and produce seeds. Throughout our Oklahoma summers like many other plants and people for that matter, they hang on for dear life, but in fall, they dress in party frocks, with the green-leaved varieties turning yellow, orange or rust, while the red cultivars deepen. A few, like ‘Sango kaku’ also sport gorgeous winter bark. What else could you request from a small tree?

The most popular post on my blog shows how to plant a Japanese maple. Because of search engines, it remains my highest ranking post even in its third year. The cultivar I planted that day was ‘Tamukeyama,’ and despite temperature extremes, it is still growing strong in the lower garden.

A. palmatum ‘Sango kaku’

There is a misconception that Japanese maples must be coddled in Oklahoma. True, some cultivars are not as successful here, but ‘Tamukeyama’ can even take some sun as long as it has regular irrigation. ‘Bloodgood‘ is another cultivar which doesn’t mind sun. I don’t grow ‘Bloodgood,’ but I see it all over Edmond and Oklahoma City often planted too close to people’s homes. It is one of the larger cultivars and should be given some room to stretch out and breathe.

Japanese maples vary greatly in size and growing style. There are both upright and cascading forms, tight leaves and loose filigrees. Some need a lot of shade, while others don’t. So, when you see one you like in the nursery or box store, use your phone to search its name and growing conditions before you buy.

Acer palmatum ‘Tamukeyama’

As for soil, they require good drainage, but don’t mind a mildly alkaline soil as long as it has good composted matter in it. Don’t fertilize too heavily, or you may turn some red-leaved cultivars green. I know because people frequently write me with this question. Absolutely, don’t plant them in Oklahoma red clay as it is a death sentence. If you have clay soil, burm up an area first and place the tree in an area protected from harsh winds.

I’ve added several cultivars which I grow in various garden beds and also in containers. Some like to be grown in containers in the shade (‘Baby Lace‘ comes to mind), and most will do fine as long as you keep them fed and watered, not unlike puppies and small children.

Front garden with upright Japanese maple. I’m not sure if it is ‘Tamukeyama’ because the leaves are more lobed.

I thought I would share some of my new A. palmatum with you.

‘Shindeshojo’ is my newest addition. I found it at Home Depot of all places, and it was very reasonably priced at $29.99 for a two-year old tree. I also purchased another maple the same day, and I want a third, but I don’t know where to plant it. ‘Shindeshojo’ also written as ‘Shin Deshojo’ should grow to eight feet. I planted it on the north side of the house as it will receive quite a bit of sun. It is supposed to perform well in partial shade, and a trick to growing some shade lovers in Oklahoma is to place them on the north side. Just make sure they are cold hardy.

A. palmatum dissectum ‘Rilas Red’ was the other cultivar I bought the same day.  It is a small and slow growing tree, probably good for a container, but I have mine growing in the new border on the east side of the house where it will only get morning sun and has wind protection.

‘Rilas Red’ Japanese maple

‘Sango kaku‘ is probably my favorite of all Japanese maples. I already mentioned its bark, which is pink-tinged green in summer, and turns the most amazing hot pink in winter, but its leaves are also so beautiful. My tree grows in dappled shade and will one day reach twenty feet.

In my front garden is one, A. palmatum dissectum ‘Viridis,’ and I have another in the back garden. I also grow one in a blue container, which highlights the green leaves and bark. This variety is fairly common now, and there is good reason. It is relatively easy to grow in shade and makes a lovely small cascading tree.

‘Tsuma gaki’ also resides in a container, and it is the unhappiest of the trees. I think its roots get too warm even in the shade. I may need to move it next year. I need to anyway because eventually it will get eight feet tall. Now, where to put it? I think it is also persnickety because it has green leaves with red edges in the spring. It seems that these bi-colored maples are a bit more difficult to grow.

Japanese maples suffer from being burmed too high. I have a raised bed in the front garden which is also burmed, and the Japanese maple planted there has difficulty making it through winter. The first tree planted in the spot by the landscaper died (never knew its cultivar). He then returned and planted a ‘Tamukeyama,’ but half of it died in a late freeze. Just something to consider.

The cultivar I’m thinking about returning to buy is ‘Shishigashira’ also called Lion’s Head. It has tight, ruffled, green foliage and makes a very interesting specimen plant. It turns orange in fall and has green bark. I would grow it in partial shade.

In recent years, there’s been an explosion of other cultivars. If you would like to learn more, I encourage you to read, Japanese Maples, Fourth Edition, by J. D. Vertrees and Peter Gregory. I read the third edition cover to cover, and I frequently use it as reference when thinking about new trees to add to my collection.

I hope, if you live in Oklahoma or in USDA Zones 6-8 (and some parts of Zone 5b), you’ll consider a Japanese maple for your own garden. They are exquisite and rewarding plants.

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Tagged:
  • Acer palmatum
  • Japanese maples

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Comments

  1. Elephant's Eye says

    21 October, 2010 at 6:04 am

    My dark red leaved Japanese maple says A. palmatum Black Magic. Haven’t been able to find any info about size. Any idea? It is in a pot, where it gets afternoon shade, regular weekly watering in summer. Right now it is enjoying gentle soaking rain and feeling at home ;>) Will be in my post tomorrow.

  2. Pam's English Garden says

    15 October, 2010 at 9:33 pm

    Dear Dee, Your maples are so beautiful. Now I want one. If they can be grown in Oklahoma, then they must grow in Pennsylvania. I will do my research and make this a priority for next year. Thank you. Pam x

  3. Les says

    15 October, 2010 at 5:59 pm

    There is no lovlier tree than a well-grown Japanese Maple. I agree with everything you say, but would add for coastal residents to make sure your irrigation water has no salt in it, nor that it is in an area that floods with salt or brackish water.

  4. sharon Lovejoy says

    15 October, 2010 at 10:38 am

    Acer palmatum, grace in the ground. I love them too. Great writing.

    Just dipping into your world for a quick update.

    Love, love from the howling northeast,

    Sharon

  5. Stephanie Suesan Smith says

    14 October, 2010 at 10:57 am

    I do not have a Japanese Maple, but photographed a really beautiful specimen at the Ft. Worth Botanical Gardens that you might enjoy. I do not know what the cultivar is, but the tree is beautiful.

  6. Phil says

    14 October, 2010 at 4:56 am

    Thought you might interested in an interactive version of the USDA hardiness zone map covering Oklahoma at http://www.plantmaps.com/interactive-oklahoma-usda-plant-zone-hardiness-map.php

  7. Christine B. says

    13 October, 2010 at 11:03 pm

    I’ll have to take your word for it that nothing is more beautiful than a well grown A. palmatum.

    How I wish Acer palmatum cultivars would grow here. Home Depot stocks them here and it’s just torture when I walk by and know they won’t survive. Maybe someday a grower will have a hardiness breakthrough. How does A. p. ‘Arctic Blizzard’ sound?

    Christine in Alaska, green with envy

  8. Gail says

    13 October, 2010 at 1:08 pm

    They are perfect for your garden Dee. Such lovely cultivars~ Acer Palmatum “Glowing Embers” might be a good choice for hotter gardens with space to let it grow. it is happy growing in GA and that’s a zone 8 garden area. I’ve one in a container and if I decide to commit to keeping it root trimmed it may remain there for a few years! gail

  9. Randy says

    13 October, 2010 at 10:04 am

    We have several Japanese Maples in our garden and we love everyone of them. The largest and oldest one gave us a good scare last week. The sun burned all the leaves to a crisp on it. This is only the second time it’s happened in about 5 years, but I couldn’t imagine losing that tree at this point. I think it will be just fine when it comes back next spring.

  10. Dorothy says

    13 October, 2010 at 9:56 am

    Gorgeous plants. I own two maples which I must admit have not done spectacularly well for me so far but they are hanging in there and I still have hopes for them. Their colors this fall are beautiful, enough to make me want to persevere and maybe even add another. Or two.

  11. Gardener on Sherlock Street says

    13 October, 2010 at 9:39 am

    They are beautiful. I’d love to tuck one in somewhere but don’t think I could give them the water they need either. You did a great write up about them.

  12. Rose says

    13 October, 2010 at 8:37 am

    You have so many beautiful specimens of these maples, Dee! I have wanted a Japanese maple for so long, but I haven’t bought one yet because our conditions here are not always favorable to them, especially living out in the country with its strong winds, as I do. Thanks for so much helpful information; if I ever do buy one, I’m going to consult this post again for your great advice.

  13. Diana says

    13 October, 2010 at 7:34 am

    I just recommended a maple for our blogging friend Robin of Getting Grounded. I sat and designed a layout for her troublesome front bed and included a Japanese Maple. She found one on sale and bought it – a Bloodgood. I have one and love it. Seeing all of yours make me want another. And I have plenty of room in the woody area on the side of hte house where there is dappled shade….hmmm…..

  14. stomlinson12@yahoo.com says

    13 October, 2010 at 7:26 am

    How do they do in dry shade? Do you need to do any supplemental watering after the first year? I have always adored Japanese maples but figured I couldn’t grow them here. This gives me some hope. I have a spot…

    • Dee Nash says

      13 October, 2010 at 7:32 am

      They definitely need supplemental water, not just the first year in Oklahoma, but every year. Susan, I don’t think they would make it where you live and in your water frugal garden. I’m sorry hon.

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