{"product_id":"japanese-maple-sapling-plants-acer-palmatum","title":"Japanese Maple Sapling Trees","description":"\u003ch2\u003eJapanese Maple Sapling Trees\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eUse:\u003c\/strong\u003e Specimen tree, ornamental feature\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eNot suitable for hedging\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eHeight:\u003c\/strong\u003e Up to 5m\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eGrowth:\u003c\/strong\u003e Slow. Multi-stemmed, rounded crown \u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eSoil:\u003c\/strong\u003e Moist, well-drained\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eLight:\u003c\/strong\u003e Prefers part shade\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eType:\u003c\/strong\u003e Small ornamental deciduous tree\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eSpecies:\u003c\/strong\u003e Acer palmatum\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eBareroot Delivery Only:\u003c\/strong\u003e Nov-April\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eAppearance, Growth \u0026amp; Uses\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eJapanese Maple is a charming small ornamental tree with sinuous branches and a graceful rounded canopy, often grown as a large multi-stemmed shrub.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThis slow-growing tree reaches up to 5 metres, perfect for smaller gardens and the back of a large border.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe delicate palmate leaves emerge bright green in spring, maintaining a fresh appearance through summer before transforming into spectacular autumn colours ranging from golden yellow to brilliant orange and deep red.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eJapanese Maple's smooth bark becomes more textured with age, and the branching pattern is magical, naturally creating a flowing winter silhouette.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe compact size is ideal for patios, courtyards, and small gardens.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eBrowse our other \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/www.ashridgetrees.co.uk\/collections\/maple-trees-acer\"\u003eMaple varieties\u003c\/a\u003e, other \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/www.ashridgetrees.co.uk\/collections\/small-garden-trees\"\u003esmall garden trees\u003c\/a\u003e or all of our \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/www.ashridgetrees.co.uk\/collections\/garden-trees-big-standards\"\u003etrees\u003c\/a\u003e.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eGrowing Conditions\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eSoil:\u003c\/strong\u003e Moist, well-drained, slightly acidic preferred\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eLight:\u003c\/strong\u003e Partial shade preferred, full sun is acceptable in very sheltered sites\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eMoisture:\u003c\/strong\u003e Consistent moisture, good beside water\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eAvoid:\u003c\/strong\u003e Hot, dry, windy sites\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eMaintenance:\u003c\/strong\u003e Looks best with minimal pruning\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eHardiness:\u003c\/strong\u003e Hardy, but needs shelter from strong wind\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eJapanese Maple thrives in partial shade with consistently moist soil, preferring cool, humid conditions similar to its native woodland habitat.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIt performs best in sheltered positions, protected from wind and hot afternoon sun, which can scorch the delicate foliage, but it handles sun as long as it's also protected from wind.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eYoung trees establish slowly, and generally require no maintenance.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eGarden Design Ideas\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eUse as a focal point, or as an elegant specimen in mixed ornamental plantings.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003ePerfect for container growing on patios and terraces, where its compact size and ornamental qualities can be appreciated up close.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe slow growth and naturally artistic form make it an excellent subject for bonsai.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eCombine with other shade-loving plants like hostas, ferns, and rhododendrons for attractive woodland-style plantings.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eHistory \u0026amp; Trivia\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAlso called \u003cstrong\u003eSmooth Japanese Maple \u003c\/strong\u003eto distinguish it from cultivars with rough bark like Acer 'Arakawa', this tree has been cultivated for so long, into so many forms, that it's hard to be certain what the wild tree looks like. \u003cbr\u003eOur trees are grown from seed, which about as close to wild as you can get.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIt's native from Russia to Japan, down through parts of China to Korea, where it grows in mountain woodlands and forest margins.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIt was named by Carl Peter Thunberg (1743-1828) during his fifteen or so months in Japan in 1775-6. \u003cbr\u003eThe first specimen was brought to Britain in the 1820's, and by the start of the Victorian era it was a must-have tree, prized for its exotic appearance and thrilling autumn display.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eToday, Japanese Maples are one of the most collected ornamental trees in the world. \u003cbr\u003eThere are hundreds of varieties in widespread commercial cultivation, over a thousand officially registered cultivars, and perhaps 3000 varieties in total.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003ePalmatum means \"like a hand\", which refers to the five fingered shape of the leaves. \u003cbr\u003eIts Japanese names kaede and momiji make the same comparison, and maple viewing, momiji-gari, is a cherished autumn tradition there, similar to cherry blossom viewing in spring. \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe wild species does not hold an RHS Award of Garden Merit, though a good number of its named varieties do. Ours are grown from seed, so they are the species rather than any named variety.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eFormer botanical names include Acer polymorphum and Acer jucundum.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Ashridge","offers":[{"title":"Bareroot \/ 60\/80cm","offer_id":54999224975686,"sku":"ACERPAL-60\/80","price":5.99,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0947\/0351\/8022\/files\/japanese-maple-acer-palmatum-leaves-2.jpg?v=1756678091","url":"https:\/\/www.ashridgetrees.co.uk\/products\/japanese-maple-sapling-plants-acer-palmatum","provider":"Ashridge Nurseries","version":"1.0","type":"link"}