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lori1_grow

Japanese Maples...anyone?

lori1_grow
15 years ago

Id like to know if anyone else is trying JM's in their yard. I have a few that have made it through 2 winters here now.

Comments (6)

  • kms4me
    15 years ago

    I have several, including one that is about 15 years old now, 13' x 15' approximately. I have a few named cultivars and a lot of ones I've grown from seed, including a few lace leaf trees.

  • lori1_grow
    Original Author
    15 years ago

    Hi... Im so glad someone else has those wonderful trees here in zone 4! Your 15' must be the mighty Emperor, mine is about 5' but a real beauty! I have alot in pots but the ones in the ground it seems are 'happier'.

  • kms4me
    15 years ago

    Lori, mine is an acer palmatum atropurpurea I bought as a 10" seedling, I selected it becuase of its rich red color. I sited it well, babied it, and now it is my pride and joy. Its fall color this year was outstanding, a couple of people stopped and asked to take pictures.

    I don't do well with trees in pots, can never figure out how wet/dry they should be going into the winter, not sure of the light exposure, etc. All my JMs are in the ground.

    I also have a beautiful Inabe Shidare on the banks of my water garden, it's slow growing, but I love the weeping form, and a Ukigumo, or Floating Clouds JM, a very pretty variegated form that is growing by leaps and bounds, is over 6' tall in just a few years. I think it is one of the hardiest of them all.

    In addition I have Shaina--not much of a grower, lots of die back, reverts to the typical Bloodgood form frequently so needs pruning the reversions out--if I hadn't paid so much for her, she'd probably have gone to the compost pile several years ago.

    I have several plants I've grown from seed I traded for on Gardenweb, the seedlings from Viridis in particular have proven especially hardy, and I love their lace leaves. I planted another 75 seedlings in my nursery bed this year and am anticipating (hoping!) a good number will come through their first winter.

  • lori1_grow
    Original Author
    15 years ago

    I also have the Ukigumo, but I just put it in the ground this spring its only about 1'tall. I cant wait to see what it puts on next year! I was able to slip a cone over it this year. I had the Inabe Shidare but the rabbits took it down in one bite! Just left it laying their, dident even eat it!! I was sooo mad! The Full Moon Maple was so nice this year,Ive had that one in the ground now for two winters with no die-back.I have so many more in the ground...like the Baldsmith and the Pixy the Orange Dream ,Purple Ghost, Garnet. I cant even think of them all right now! Yes, Ive got a bad (good) problem!

  • kms4me
    15 years ago

    Lori,

    Wow, another JM addict-I am impressed. I have long admired Orange Dream and Purple Ghost, would love to have the full moon maple but not quite enough to shell out the money for it. I had a Garnet for many years (named after my birthstone) but a very cold year and inadequate drainage ended it...

    Besides coning the young trees, do you do anything else to protect them through the winter?

  • lori1_grow
    Original Author
    15 years ago

    Well... I put that cage wire stuff around them and fill them up with oak leaves. Its funny but this year I bought a 3' Peaches & Cream around the first part of Oct. I put fence around it packed it with leaves then... I put big pieces of styrofoam around that! My husband just shook his head... he understands. I think I over did that one,I just dont want to loose it!

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