Many years ago when I had a much larger garden in a more sheltered and less windy area, I used to have better luck with Japanese Maples. In fact, I cannot recall losing a single one. I grew them in pots in a hollow at the bottom of the garden where they were sheltered by surrounding shrubs and trees, as well as a dense privet hedge. Where I am now, despite 5ft fences which are topped by trellis, it's quite a task to get Japanese Maples to survive the wind, not to mention the harshness of some of the winters we get here. Earlier this year I bought three.
Acer Palmatum Orange Dream lost its leaves some weeks ago. It's not happy. Why, I do not know as it is in the same situation, side by side in a terracotta pot right facing east, against the house wall, right next to the
Acer palmatum dissectum 'Ornatum' which is also in a pot. The Ornatum has far more delicate looking leaves and yet it has happily grown and now produced delightfully red leaves. I am hoping that the Orange Dream will still be alive next spring and produce another set of its lovely fresh green leaves. I need to find another position for it.
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| Acer palmatum dissectum 'Ornatum' - autumn colours |
Another Japanese Maple that I bought, as a tiny specimen quite cheaply, is
Acer palmatum Beni Maiko. I was going to grow it as a bonsai, but now I'm not sure. While still tiny, it is surviving quite well. During summer it made some growth which I have trimmed back to encourage a better shape and more branches.