Meet Harry, gardener at Garden Supply Company, sharing essential guidance on Japanese maples for Triangle-area landscapes. Learn about different leaf types, growth habits, sun tolerance, critical planting techniques for our region, and stunning companion plant combinations.
In this video, you’ll discover:
✨ Two main leaf types: Palmate vs. Dissectum (lace leaf)
✨ Growth habits: Upright, weeping, dwarf specimens
✨ Sun tolerance varies by variety—placement is critical
✨ Proper planting techniques for long-term success
✨ Companion plant pairings that make colors pop
✨ Why Japanese maples are long-term landscape investments
Understanding Japanese Maple Roles:
Japanese maples fill multiple landscape functions:
🌳 Large Varieties – Reach 20-25ft, provide shade canopy for underplantings
🌿 Dwarf Specimens – Beautiful individual focal points
🍂 Weeping Varieties – Grow wider than tall, dramatic specimens
🎨 Color Variety – Green, red, burgundy foliage options
Two Main Leaf Types:
Palmate Leaf – Broader leaf creating one texture and overall look
Dissectum (Lace Leaf) – Fine, delicate appearance creating entirely different aesthetic
The leaf type dramatically changes the tree’s overall texture and visual impact in your landscape.
Sun Tolerance Considerations:
⚠️ Critical: Variety selection depends on your location
☀️ Avoid: Afternoon sun for many varieties (can cause leaf scorch)
🌤️ Sun Tolerant Varieties: Some uprights and certain weeping lace leafs handle more sun
🌳 Shade Performers: Many varieties thrive in protected, partially shaded locations
Matching the right variety to your site conditions determines success or struggle.
Critical Planting Tips for Our Region:
Japanese maples are long-term landscape investments that grow very slowly—proper planting is MORE critical than other plants:
Essential Steps:
Dig a LARGE hole
Use PLENTY of soil amendments (more than typical shrubs)
Plant UP HIGH enough (Japanese maples hate wet soil)
Heavy clay soil makes amendments even more important
These trees will be there for decades—do it right the first time
Why It Matters: Japanese maples are less tolerant of wet soil conditions than many shrubs. In our Piedmont clay, proper drainage through amendments and high planting is non-negotiable.
Stunning Companion Plant Combinations:
Dark Red Japanese Maples (like Bloodgood):
Pair with yellow Kaleidoscope Abelias or Sunshine Ligustrum—the color contrast makes both plants pop
Light-Leafed Varieties (like Ryusen):
Plant burgundy Loropetalum in front for striking contrasting colors
Weeping Lace Leaf Maples:
Create shade gardens underneath with:
Mondo Grass
Hostas
Ferns
Other shade-loving plants
These combinations enhance the maple’s beauty while creating additional planting opportunities.
Long-Term Investment Perspective:
Japanese maples grow VERY slowly, making them:
✓ Permanent landscape features (plan carefully!)
✓ Worth the extra effort in proper installation
✓ Ideal for creating focal points that mature gracefully
✓ Perfect for underplanting as they develop
Harry’s advice: “I consider a Japanese maple a long-term investment in your landscape. If you’re putting one in, it’s going to be there a long time—so the planting is even more critical.”
Varieties Harry Mentions:
Bloodgood – Classic dark red variety
Coral Bark – Winter interest with colored stems
Ryusen – Light-leafed variety
Plus many more varieties available
ABOUT GARDEN SUPPLY COMPANY
For over 25 years, we’ve been Cary’s trusted source for expert plant selection and landscape guidance. Our team understands proper planting techniques for our challenging Piedmont clay soil.
VISIT US:
📍 1421 Old Apex Rd, Cary, NC 27513
📞 (919) 460-7747
🌐 www.gardensupplyco.com
HOURS: Mon-Fri: 9am-6pm | Sat: 8am-6pm | Sun: 11am-5pm
SERVICES:
🌱 Expert Japanese Maple Selection Guidance
🏡 Professional Installation Services
📋 Planting Guides & Soil Amendment Recommendations
🎨 Landscape Design Consultations
🌿 Companion Plant Pairing Advice
SHOP JAPANESE MAPLES:
Visit our selection of Japanese maples in various sizes, leaf types, and color varieties. Harry and our gardening team will help you choose the right variety for your site conditions and create stunning companion plant combinations.
CONNECT: Instagram @gardensupplyco
Japanese maples are living art pieces that will grace your landscape for decades. Harry and our team are here to help you select the right variety, plant it properly for our Piedmont conditions, and create stunning color combinations that make your landscape unforgettable. 🌻
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Hi, I’m Harry at Garden Supply Company and we’re going to talk about Japanese maples. Two general differences uh in Japanese maples are the leaf type. Um palmate, which is more a broader leaf versus what’s called the dissectum or often a lace leaf. You can see there’s a big difference in the look of the leaf, which then creates a difference in the overall look and texture of the tree itself. Some planting tips for Japanese maples. As with any shrub that you’re installing, soil amendments are critical. Japanese maples may be a little more so in that they’re can be less tolerant of wet soil conditions. Make sure you plant them up high enough. Make sure you use plenty of soil amendment. Make sure you dig a large hole. I consider a Japanese maple a longterm investment in your landscape. They grow very slowly. Japanese maples also provide you an area where you can do some underplanting underneath them. shade loving plants, mondo grasses, hostas, ferns, any number of things that you can also plant to kind of complement the maple but also create another planting area.
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