Acers will delight onlookers throughout the year and can be grown in large pots as well as beds. They're a great choice if you're looking to add some Japanese garden ideas to your outdoor space. Dwarf varieties will thrive in containers and are perfect for small areas, such as patios. They can even be grown as part of your balcony ideas. As long as you keep them in a spot out of cold winds, dwarf acers will grow happily in pots for many years.
You can choose upright varieties for a more compact look or more sprawling, weeping-shaped branches. It really depends on what your taste is and what overall effect you want to create. Go for taller varieties if you're looking to add some height to your garden. Growing acers from seed can be difficult and slow, so you might want to go for the easier option. You can buy young acers from your local garden center and online that can go straight into the ground to give your garden an instant lift.
The best time to plant them is in early spring or autumn. This is because the weather is still cool meaning the soil won't be too dry. Plus, the ground won't be too hard from the frosts — even with one of the best garden spades , it's much easier to dig a hole big enough when the ground isn't frozen. When learning how to grow acers, it's worth bearing in mind that they favor moist but well-drained soil that is neutral to acidic.
If your garden only has alkaline soil, then it's easiest to opt for container gardening ideas for your acers instead for the best results. Fill up your planters with ericaceous compost, allow for plenty of drainage mixing grit into the soil can help and keep them well-watered.
The purple-leaved 'Garnet' is a great choice for containers, as is 'Bi Ho' with its attractive winter stems. Alternatively, look for acers that will tolerate higher pH soils — try snakebark and paperbark maples, for example, or the UK-native 'Campestre' which sports acid-yellow leaves in fall. Planting acers in heavy clay can also be problematic as they dislike waterlogged roots.
If your garden has these conditions, be sure to incorporate plenty of organic matter into the hole at planting time, and avoid overwatering. If you're unsure on what you're dealing with, our guide to soil types will help. Our guide on planting bare root trees has lots more advice.
Prefer the option of planting your acer in one of your garden planter ideas? It's relatively straightforward with these step-by-step tips:.
After you've got the know-how on how to grow acers, it's worth reading up on how to protect your treasured trees from winter weather. Winter can be harsh for all types of plants in our gardens — acers included. The single most important factor for keeping them protected and healthy during the coldest months is shelter.
And, the more delicate the leaves of your tree, the more shelter it needs. This means choosing a place that's protected from cold easterly and northerly winds and lingering late frosts, as these cause damage in spring after the delicate new foliage has emerged.
Putting fleece over leaves if frost is forecasted will also help, as will providing shelter with overhanging trees, boundaries, walls or surrounding buildings. If your acer is in a pot, protect it with a sheet of bubble wrap or fleece tied around with garden twine. Pot feet or bricks offer another level of protection by lifting the container clear from the ground.
There's more advice on how to protect plants from frost in our guide. If you're learning how to grow acers and are worried about the pruning aspect — don't be. Most need hardly any pruning at all. Acers require very little pruning, if any at all. While other ericaceous or acid-loving plants are very sensitive to pH, Acers generally are not. They are far easier to grow than many gardeners seem to think. See some common acer tree types for inspiration when growing in the UK.
A permaculture garden designer, sustainability consultant and freelance writer, Elizabeth works as an advocate for positive change. She aims to inspire others to reconnect with nature and live in a more eco-friendly way. She also tries to practice what she preaches as she tends her own forest garden, polyculture beds and polytunnel. See her personal website here.
What is Ericaceous Compost? Compost is made up of decomposed or partially decomposed organic matter. What are Acers? Acer palmatum Acers belong to a diverse genus of trees which includes large trees maples, and the sycamore , and small trees which are really more like shrubs including the ever-popular Japanese Acers: Acer palmatum.
These trees are not as sensitive to soil pH as many other ericaceous plants. Deciding Where To Grow Acers Japanese Maple shrub growing in a container If you have a particularly alkaline soil, then you will likely do best if you grow Acers in containers. They can thrive in full sun, dappled shade or partial shade. Understanding Your Soil Type In order to decide whether you need to grow Acers in containers or you can grow in the ground, your first step should be to determine your soil pH.
Choosing a Potting Mix For Acers Fine compost If you decide to grow Acers in containers — for whatever reason — it is important to choose a growing medium to optimise conditions and ensure that the small trees remain as healthy as possible.
If you want to make a similar potting mix yourself, it is: 7 parts sterilised loam 3 parts peat substitute coir, leaf mould, woody compost 2 parts loose sand Mix these ingredients at a ratio of with an ericaceous compost which you buy or make using more acidic organic matter, which can yield more varied results.
Note that pH will return to a more neutral level over time. Elizabeth Waddington A permaculture garden designer, sustainability consultant and freelance writer, Elizabeth works as an advocate for positive change. Privacy Policy Terms of Service. John Innes Ericaceous is a superb compost from the company Westland. It is the ideal compost for strong, healthy ericaceous plants. Doing this will give excellent drainage. Feed in spring and early summer with a slow-release fertiliser or liquid feed.
Whilst Acers are not very greedy feeders, they are somewhat picky in what they feed on. An acer tree requires just the right nutrients when it is first planted. It also needs that same specific nutrient mix once or twice every year. Vitax Acer Feed is perfect for the job!
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