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The Japanese maple is a widely diverse species. It has over a thousand different cultivars with a wide range of size, color, shape, and leaf type. It would be impossible to fully examine all the different species of Japanese maple. However, since most gardeners select a tree based on the area it will fill, lets examine a few of the more popular varieties in each size range.
Japanese Maple Types Shindeshojo and Ukon
Dwarf Japanese maples are wonderful additions to small spaces. They are also prime candidates for container gardens and bonsai. They can be a single trunked tree or many trunked and shrub-like in appearance. The Shindeshojo is a small, shrub-like Japanese maple. It grows to approximately 5, has lacy, bright red foliage in the spring, fades to greenish red in the summer, and turns orange-red in the fall. The Ukon variety is another small Japanese maple that resembles a shrub more than a tree. It displays new growth in yellow shades which turns to variegated green and yellow mature growth and then the leaves turn golden in the fall. It is well-suited to bonsai.
Japanese Maple Types Moonfire and Tanukeyama
If you are looking for a small ornamental tree in the 8-15 range, these varieties work well. Moonfire is a strong upright Japanese maple that grows to around 10 with purplish red leaves that retain their color all summer long. It is a vigorous grower and ideally suited as an ornamental for your lawn or landscape. It also is suited for bonsai development. Tanukeyama is a cascading variety of Japanese maple. It resembles a small weeping willow, but with bright red foliage in the spring and fall. In the summer the leaves turn purplish red. It grows 10-13 and is extremely hardy and disease resistant.
Japanese Maple Types Autumn Glory and Osakazuki
Finally, you have a spot large enough for the bigger species of Japanese maples and youre looking for major impact. Consider the Autumn Glory for its height (15-25), its broad green leaves that turn crimson in the fall, and its wide spreading crown. If you are looking for height in your Japanese Maple, but a more compact shape, then you want a species like Osakazuki. This species is one of the oldest cultivars and famous for its deep red autumn tones. It has large leaves and presents a rounded crown in maturity. It will reach heights of 15-20 and its uniform appearance makes it perfect for lining driveways and walking paths.
Japanese maples truly run the full gamut in appearance from small, delicate shrubs to stately, elegant trees. The species is hardy and extremely low maintenance, especially upon reaching maturity. It adapts well to containerization, bonsai pruning, and can thrive in a variety of soil and water conditions. Whatever your landscaping needs may be, there is a Japanese maple made for you.
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Author Bio Box: Patricia Wainwright
Get all the facts about trees and shrubs and gardening articles at GreenThumbArticles.com!
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