Garden Gems

By Forrest Lockhart

UC Cooperative Extension, El Dorado County Master Gardener

Several springs ago, as I strolled through a public garden, my eye was drawn to a small, raised mossy mound with two of the most magnificent little trees I had ever seen. The larger of the two, no more than six feet tall, had brilliant coral colored bark with branches sporting striking bright green leaves with reddish margins. The companion, no more than five feet in height, displayed pea green branches and twigs, set off by pale green leaves. I was entranced by the size, color, and texture of these two plants and searched out a docent for more information. I found that the larger tree was a Japanese Maple known as “Sango Kaku”, or the coral bark maple. The other was called “Aoyagi”, or the green coral maple. I came away that day struck by the beauty and variety of the species and wanted to learn more about them. Thus began what has become a love affair with what I refer to as my garden gems, the Japanese Maple.

Cultivation of Japanese Maples began more than three hundred years ago, and had begun spreading from Japanese gardens to the outside world by the late eighteenth century. Since that time horticulturalists and gardeners have found that the wide variety of natural and cultivated variations possible with the Japanese Maple make this species amenable to most non-tropical garden environments. A stroll through any quality nursery in Northern California will reveal the outstanding variety of shapes, colors, and leaf textures available to the serious gardener.

Most authorities regard Japanese Maples as the term for the cultivated varieties of Acer palmatum and Acer japonicum They are primarily used as specimen trees, placed in a strategic location in the garden to attract the visitor’s eye. Frequently gardeners will cluster two or more of contrasting colors or shapes in a raised bed or a decorative rocky outcrop near running water. Many others, such as I, have chosen to display my maples in pots of various sizes and shapes, placed strategically around the garden. Japanese Maples will do well in pots if given proper care during the growing season.

Like most plants, however, Japanese Maples do have certain growth requirements that the gardener must be aware of and respect. While they are not fussy about nutrient needs, they do require a reasonably constant water supply, humidity, dappled shade, and protection from hot winds. Due to their historic roots in the mountains of Japan, these plants are quite resistant to cold and snow.

In the years since my first encounter with Japanese Maples I have become an ardent fan of the species and find myself continually adding to my collection. So if you purchase your first Acer you too may find yourself hooked on these delightful garden gems.