Japanese Maples are a favourite of gardeners across the country, but their bright leaves can soon become damaged and begin to turn an ugly brown if they’re not properly taken care of
Gardeners warned not to make a common mistake with Japanese maples(Image: Getty)
Japanese maples, with their vibrant crimson leaves, are a beloved choice for gardeners nationwide, often serving as the stunning centrepiece of any garden.
However, without proper care, these bright leaves can quickly become damaged and start to turn an unsightly brown, creating quite the eyesore.
With the strong sun making its appearance again this week, there’s one particular sign that gardeners need to be on the lookout for, as it could spell doom for your favourite acer.
Japanese Maples flourish in milder climates, so when subjected to the sun’s intense UV rays, their leaves can easily become scorched.
Once the sun has had its way with the leaves, they’ll begin to dry up, curl, and shrivel before eventually dying back, leaving the branches noticeably bare, reports the Express.
One sign could mark the end of your Japanese Maple(Image: Getty)
But fear not, green-fingered folk across the country, there is one early warning sign of leaf scorching, allowing you to take action and give your maple a fighting chance against the sun.
The allure of Japanese Maples lies in their colour, but when the bright reds, pinks, and oranges start to fade into greys and browns, it’s a signal that your plant is beginning to struggle.
Regrettably, if the leaves do get scorched, recovery may take some time. However, come autumn, if you’ve put in the effort, you can still look forward to a spectacular autumnal bloom.
Roger Eavis, a horticultural specialist from GreenShutters, has shared his two essential recommendations if you notice signs of leaf burn.
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 also recommends relocating your maple to a sheltered spot where it won’t be hammered by fierce winds. This becomes particularly crucial as your maple starts to regenerate its foliage, since strong gusts can easily damage tender 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 recommends comparable measures to Roger, though for gardeners keen to go above and beyond, they suggest applying mulch around the tree’s base. This will help retain soil moisture, though they emphasise avoiding mulching right up to the maple’s trunk to prevent potential rot or disease.
Comments are closed.