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Florida Gardening

Substitute for Japanese Maple

14 years ago

I need some advice. I live in zone 9 (Tampa) and last year designed a "faux" Japanese garden for my backyard. The one thing planted that I probably shouldn't have was a pretty Japanese red maple that I found at Lowe's. I figured there was a 50-50 chance that it would make it. It did okay thought the winter because it was so cold and actually had a chance to go dormant. As soon as the weather started getting hot and so dry the tree's leaves fried (and it only gets morning sun!). I think the tree is still alive and so I plan to uproot it and plant it in a pot so I can move it into the shade.

Meanwhile, I need something to plant in its place. I would like the plant to be at least 4-5 feet tall and to have some color to it. Elegant like a maple. I looked today and did not see anything that fit the bill so I thought I would ask you guys if you had any ideas.

I use reclaimed water twice a week so the plant needs to tolerate salt. It's in partial sun (morning sun and some dappled during day.)

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Comments (6)

fawnridge (Ricky)
14 years ago
Weeping Bottle Brush is the first thing that comes to mind.
jsvand5
14 years ago
I have had this japanese maple planted for about three years now. I am pretty sure the variety is called "Seiryu". I think the lace leaf types take the sun better the the others. I am in Ocala so our climate is pretty similar and it is in pretty much full sun. I do get some slight burning in the dead of summer, but it has done really well for me. If you are looking for more of a red/purple type you might want to try "Crimson Queen". They are supposed to handle the sun pretty well also.
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Since they are evergreen, what about a citrus of some kind? There is SOME mess - spent flowers, old leaves falling off to be replaced, but they smell lovely in flower, and you could pick your own fruit - oranges, tangerines, lemons, limes or grapefruits. You would probably have to do some limbing up if you want to sit under it. As well, since you don't say what the surface of the courtyard will be, may I suggest a large circle of gravel (6' as a minimum, but more would be better) around the tree, especially if the rest of the courtyard is to be paved? This will allow for watering, and for air-exchange with the tree roots. It would eliminate most root problems, since usually ('though not always, I grant) surface roots are a problem in the 2-4' next to the trunk.
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Just so happens I have a Bloodgood Japanese maple under a canopy of a Sugar Maple and a Red Maple. However, I can probably get away with this as my precip tends to be heavy 50-60 inches annually. In your drier climate, I think there would be excessive competition for moisture--Japanese Maples do NOT like drought. Good luck with your Japanese Maple. PS., Despite having lots of exotic plants, that tree always gets all the attention!
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Are you sure? Because the branch structure and the surrounding bushes (boxwood?) look to be the same. Also, in this photo of the same dissectum, you can see the tree's position in relation to the water. It looks to be the same as the shot posted above. Kneeling down on the path and taking a shot up into the branches would make the tree look a lot larger. If you look at the size of the leaves in comparison to the branches in the shot/link I posted above, it's not actually that big of a tree. Here is a link that might be useful: This post was edited by maplesmagpie on Fri, Nov 14, 14 at 17:23
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amberroses
14 years ago
I live in Pinellas county. I planted a japanese maple last year. It is doing well. I think our very cold winter helped a little. Mine gets full sun in the morning. So far it has not fried, but I keep it well watered. It is also planted in a sheltered location with little wind.
vaodiva
14 years ago
Wow, that's a nice tree! I've been wanting a JM for years but didn't have the heart to accept its unavoidable demise. Did you purchase yours online or a local nursery?
jsvand5
14 years ago
There is a local nursey called B & B nursery by me that seems to usually have the "seiryu" type in stock. They are pretty expensive though. I think I paid $179 for mine in a 15 gal pot. They seem to do pretty well. They keep theirs on top of the steaming hot black top and they seem to make it ok. Theirs usually get a little more leaf burn than mine, but with the way they keep them on the black top in full sun I am surprised they survive at all.
jerzeegirl
Original Author
14 years ago
wow. That maple is gorgeous. It makes mine look like a stick (which is pretty much now is). I think I didn't water enough. Two times a week is probably not enough. Maybe I'll try a maple again. I bought an inexpensive little snowbush and am using that as a substitute right now so I have some time to find a nice maple to replace the old one. It's encouraging that some of you have made maples grow.

Weeping bottle brush is pretty too. That would actually look very nice there.

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