Welcome to my Japanese inspired garden. In this video, I explore the reasons why growing Japanese maples in containers is an ideal strategy for small urban spaces. I share how using pots helps manage tree height, prevents root damage to foundations, and provides essential drainage for areas with heavy clay soil.
I take a close look at several varieties in my collection before doing a bit of troubleshooting. You will see the process of repotting an Acer japonicum Emmitts Pumpkin that suffered from poor drainage over the wet winter. I also pot up a newly acquired Acer palmatum Sango Kaku, famous for its striking lime-green foliage and vibrant red stems. I share my favourite soil mixture using red lava rock and pumice to ensure excellent drainage, alongside tips for regular pruning and replenishing soil nutrients to keep container trees healthy year after year.
These are the Japanese maples in my collection:
Tobiosho
Hogyoku
Orangeola
Waterfall
Hubb’s Red Willow
Ryu Sei
Ilarian
Acer japonicum Emmitts Pumpkin
Acer palmatum Sango kaku
#JapaneseMaples #ContainerGardening #UrbanGarden #AcerPalmatum #TreeCare #GardenTour #SangoKaku
16 Comments
I would love to hear about the trees you are growing in your own space. What is your favourite variety of Japanese maple? Let me know in the comments below.
Hi April your Japanese maples are fantastic and what a great way to restrict the growth by putting them in containers and pruning back the branches excellent way of keeping them in check , and a superb repotting of your new purchase .. brilliant care information thanks for sharing 👍
It looks messy.
Hi April. Your maples look so healthy and happy (except for the sick one !) . Your garden is very interesting with so much to see. I think the Sango Kaku sometimes has a common name of Coral Bark Maple in some countries. I agree with all of your details on growing Japanese maples, especially have well drained soil and not too big a pot. I have an 8 foot Acer palmatum 'Dissectum Seiryu' in a large tub that is quickly becoming too big to handle. I think I am going to have to do a major cut back of it. Thank you for showing us your maples.
Where are you located?
I've been growing Japanese maples in containers for nearly a decade now. My rule of thumb is if the rootball is not fully established I don't repot, if well rooted then can go up a size coz the more soil in the pot, the more moisture that can cause root rot. I also have a moisture gauge so I only water when they are dry. They are amazing plants and has given me so much joy over the yrs.
Bought 2 trees in the fall however lost one to voles.
You need a bigger yard
Awesome Japanese Maple trees collection👍
I love Japanese maples and also have a small collection, all in pots. The oldest one I bought about 15 years ago. I love how Japanese maples self seed, making little maples grow around them. If the pot is small, that’s less likely, of course, so that’s one disadvantage of growing in pots, I guess. But I like to be able to move my plants around and enjoy them different places.
I live in the PNW zone 8a-b so my climate is similar to yours. I think Japanese maples are some of the easiest plants to grow in pots here. I recently potted 2 small ones and put them on my front porch. So pretty!
Is your ginkgo tree in a pot also?
looks like "black death" on the trunk of the sick one
Thank you so much, everyone, for all the likes. If you love unique container gardening, check out my brand new video dropping today at 10:00 AM PDT where I build a custom hardy carnivorous plant bog planter.
Cool video! Thanks for sharing it with us
One thing I've done in the past with jap maples showing signs of root rot is mixing cinnamon spice into the soil. Don't make the mistake of using cinnamon sugar. I also make sure to put them in a somewhat shady area while they're recovering and avoid heavy or regular feedings as the roots recover, other than a mild deep sea kelp extract for trace elements and minerals. PNW Zone 8B
Thanks so much for all the information. I have 2 and I'm so taken care them, but now i know why the leafs are cain of brown. 😕
Thank you again ❤
I've been slowly creating a Japanese-style garden on my apartment balcony. I'd like to add a Japanese Maple tree but unsure if any could survive wintering outdoors, in a pot, on a balcony, in zone 6b (St Louis). Any recommendations?
Balcony faces ENE so morning sun only; no wind so aphids and spider mites are a problem; covered balcony so no rain; summers are very hot and humid; winter temps can go below freezing.