Japanese maples are a popular choice for many gardeners, but their bright red leaves can soon turn brown if they are not cared for properly – there is one sign to look out for
Japanese maples are a stunning addition to any garden(Image: Getty)
Japanese maples, with their vibrant crimson leaves, are a popular choice among gardeners nationwide, often serving as the stunning focal point of many gardens.
However, without proper care, these bright leaves can quickly become damaged and start to turn an unsightly brown, creating quite the eyesore.
As the sun makes its appearance again this week, there’s one particular sign gardeners need to be vigilant about, as it could signal the demise of your beloved acer.
Japanese Maples flourish in temperate climates, so when subjected to the intense UV rays of the sun, their leaves can easily get scorched.
Once the sun has had its way, the leaves will start to dry out, curl up, and shrivel before they begin to die off, leaving the branches noticeably bare, reports the Express.
One sign could mark the end of your Japanese Maple(Image: Getty)
Fortunately for gardening enthusiasts across the nation, there is one early warning sign of leaf scorching, allowing you to intervene and give your maple a fighting chance against the sun.
The allure of Japanese Maples largely lies in their colour, but when you notice the vibrant reds, pinks, and oranges starting to fade into greys and browns, it’s a sign your plant is under stress.
Regrettably, if the leaves do get scorched, recovery might take some time, but with diligent care, you can still look forward to a spectacular autumnal bloom when Autumn comes around.
Roger Eavis, a horticultural specialist from GreenShutters, has shared his pair of essential recommendations for addressing signs of heat damage.
Initially, he advises: “Keep the soil or compost well-watered and never let them dry out. If the leaves on your Japanese maples appear dry or scorched in summer, this is likely to be a lack of moisture.
Leaf scorch could spell disaster for Japanese Maples(Image: Getty)
“This is, by far, the main cause of dieback. Most Japanese maples will grow happily in direct sun if they are kept well-watered, which means once a day during hot weather if they are in a pot, and two or three times a week if planted in the ground. If not, plant them where they will get shade for part of the day.”
He further recommends relocating your maple to a sheltered position where it’s protected from harsh winds. This becomes particularly crucial as your maple starts regenerating its foliage, since strong gusts can easily damage delicate new growth.
Roger added: “These two tips will keep your Japanese maples healthy and vigorous all summer, and they will reward you with incredible autumn colours.”
The RHS echoes Roger’s guidance, though for gardeners seeking to go above and beyond, they recommend applying mulch around the tree’s base. This technique helps retain soil moisture, though they emphasise avoiding mulching directly against the maple’s trunk to prevent potential rot or disease.
Comments are closed.