Make a weeping maple happy - Jul 22, 2010
A few years ago I saw a Japanese Weeping Maple in a nursery for $3,500. It would have been at least 25 years old with a big thick trunk and it had the most amazing fern like weeping foliage. It actually looked like a giant bonsai plant and I fell in love with it. I went back a month later and it had been sold.
Japanese Weeping Maples are one of the most spectacular plants that you can grow in your garden. They are grown on a standard and the plant looks like an umbrella except the foliage weeps down. The most popular variety is one called Acer palmatum ' Dissectum Atropurpurem'. This variety has purple laceleaf foliage in spring and autumn.
Winter is the best time to buy a weeping maple because they are dormant at this time of year and your nursery will have a big selection. Don't panic about the price because small standards can be bought for around $50.00.
The best news is that they can also be grown in big pots and they look fantastic on patios.
The most important thing to remember is that these are cool climate plants so you must protect them from the hot summer winds or the leaves will get burnt and look brown and withered.
Choose a morning sun position and your weeping maple will be happy.
If you're growing your maple in a pot plant some cyclamen or pansies around the base in autumn and enjoy the pretty flowers while the maple is sleeping.
Tim Pickles is a CNP horticulturist and director of Tim's Garden Centre 2 Queen St Campbelltown 46267022.