Are you considering getting one of these beautiful but miniature trees for your yard? If so, you may be wondering if Japanese maples are easy to care for. Like any other tree, they require water, sunlight, and soil to grow and thrive… but there’s a little more to it than that.
I’m no expert, but I do have a couple of these little trees in my yard. One of them I planted in the backyard, and the other is growing in a pot near the garden. Both are doing very well.
Are Japanese Maples Easy to Care For?
In my opinion, Japanese maple trees are very easy to care for! Similar to other maples, they will grow and do very well when planted in the ground. Their roots may be a little more sensitive to cold when they are young, but there are things you can do to protect them in the event of a hard freeze.
In general though, almost anyone can purchase a young Japanese maple for less than $100 in some cases and have success growing it at home. They’re a good decorative tree choice for backyards and also do well in containers.
Which varieties are best for beginners?
There are more than a thousand Japanese maple varieties which are propagated by the cuttings and use the same rootstock. Acer Palmatum is the most common root-stock used for Japanese maples because it is hardy and survives cold temperatures better than others.
Here are just a few of the most common varieties, often used by beginners.
- Red dragon
- Crimson queen
- Bloodgood
- Beni kawa
- Beni hime
Conclusion
Different varieties of Japanese maples are better for different climate and hardiness zones, so which one works best for someone in Iowa could be different than for someone that lives in Georgia. Do your research before you buy yours and make an informed decision so that your Japanese maples lives and thrives for a long time.