Japanese maples should be flourishing with rich hues this month, yet these temperamental trees might shed prematurely without adequate watering during July. Gardeners must remain vigilant with their Japanese maples once temperatures soar, as their shallow roots can struggle to hold moisture. However, this is fixable.
With sunshine aplenty, the soil encircling Japanese maples risks rapid drying, leaving their foliage susceptible to sun damage. Neglect could see leaves curl, wilt, and detach, stripping the tree throughout the summer months. Yet Kiersten Rankel from Greg, a plant care expert, has highlighted that ensuring your Japanese maple remains quenched in sweltering conditions is easy when you lay down mulch.
Kiersten advises: “Summer’s heat demands vigilance. Your tree’s not just surviving; it’s trying to thrive. Deep, less frequent watering beats shallow daily sips.
“Mulch is your ally, keeping roots cool and moist. Remember, a well-watered maple won’t throw shade but will surely appreciate it.”
The act of mulching, adding organic matter on the surface layer of a plant’s soil not only enriches it but during the warmer months, it additionally serves as a sponge for water retention.
This retained moisture from the mulch gently seeps into the earth, ensuring the Japanese maples stay sufficiently hydrated and vigorous, thus continuing to produce their stunning scarlet foliage throughout the summer.
Having a layer of mulch around Japanese maples helps protect the leaves from scorching and also helps prevent weeds, reducing one dreaded gardening task this summer.
Mulches that can retain a significant amount of water but are lightweight tend to be the most suitable for Japanese maples, such as pine bark, wood chips, garden compost or leaf moulds.
Avoid nitrogen-rich mulches like cow manure, as they promote excessive growth, which can stress Japanese maples during warm weather when they need to conserve energy.
When applying mulch, ensure that an even, thin layer is added around the tree and kept away from the trunk, as too much can hinder the roots’ ability to breathe.
Once you have mulched your Japanese maples, make sure to thoroughly soak the soil once a week to help the tree stay cool throughout the warm weather.
If you mulch and deeply water your Japanese maples, their leaves should remain vibrant red throughout the summer, allowing you to enjoy a thriving garden without having to potter about with a watering can.