skip to main content

Japanese Maples?

19 years ago

Hi, there! I have a question: in driving around Cherokee recently (lower zone 4, but in a protected river valley) I noticed what appeared to be--by virtue of their gorgeous color and branching habit--Japanese maples. :-O I'm surprised, as I've never seen a Japanese maple in a catalog, that is listed as hardy for zone 4. But, now I'm lusting after one....anybody raised these successfully this far north? Which variety did you find most hardy? Any other tips? Thanks.

Sort by:Oldest

Comments (9)

diannp
19 years ago
SooBee, you might want to check out Ride Road Nursery in Bellview, Iowa. I think he has some oriental maples..

Diann
IA Z5a

Here is a link that might be useful: Ridge Road Nursery
hawki
19 years ago
SooBee,
I'd suspect you're looking at Amur maples,which freely seed all over the place (they are a pest in my woods), and form thickets along some of the roadsides here in town that right now are glowing red and orange. I grow Japanese maples here in 5a Iowa City, and met somebody who had a whole yard full of them in a protected spot in Waterloo, but I don't think you'd see any just driving around NW Iowa. In a protected spot you could probably grow a Bloodgood derived type of Japanese maple (Bloodgood, Robinson's red, maybe Emperor) but those types don't really have the most colorful Fall foliage.A better bet would be Acer pseudosieboldiana,the Korean maple, which has better Fall color and is hardy in Z4, (Ridge Road I think carries it) or stop by here and I'll give you as many Amurs as you can dig.
Don
Related Discussions
Japanese maple and Japanese cherry blossom trees
Q
Comments (2)
Here's a couple of Japanese Maples in my garden. Picture taken in the Fall. Mike
...See More
Japanese Maple or Red Maple seedling?
Q
Comments (9)
I think you mean Bloodgood, and I'm a bit late to this conversation, but they will look like the picture I am sharing: Or this... Or this... These are all from Acer Palmatum 'Bloodgood' and germinate successfully from samaras (seeds) that get cold stratified naturally (or in a fridge for 90ish days) and then grow into seedlings (shown in all of my pics). You can graft other cultivars (scions) onto these, which would make these seedlings your eventual rootstock (after seedling grows for about 2 years or 1/8 in). Or these seedlings could be used for bonsai, or just planted as is and they would just be considered Acer Palmatum Red Japanese Maple, not a Bloodgood unless it's grafted. Hope this helps (8 years later)!
...See More
Full Moon Maple, Japanese Maple 'Otaki' (Acer japonicum)
Q
Comments (4)
Thanks Jacqout and Muckmire, I checked out Vertrees from the library yesterday (they only had the 2nd ed., though) and found a photo, but it's just of the leaves. It's hard to find pictures of this tree. I've only seen the leaves! Found the tree at WorldPlants. Seems like a good price. I have to decide what I'm getting. I am considering several Maples--palmatums (less hardy, it seems, so maybe won't get) and japonicums. It has to be something small and hardy and not too bush-like. Christina
...See More
Japanese Red Maple or Red Select Japanese Maple?
Q
Comments (3)
Hmmm...where to start. First of all, there are nearly a thousand different cultivars of Japanese maples. About a third (or maybe more) of them have red leaves at least a portion of the year. Secondly, japanese red maple would be a misleading name since a red maple is a native maple to the US that has green leaves and red flowers. Red japanese maple would make more sense. So, "Japanese red maple" could refer to one of hundreds of cultivars that have been reproduced by grafting, or it could be a red seedling that shows good red characteristics. This would mean that 'red select' is a specific cultivar of a red japanese maple. You must also consider whether or not it is a weeping red dissectum (fine lacy leaves) or an upright palmatum (star shaped leaves). 'Red select' is one of many red dissectum cultivars (lacy and weeping). I think 'red select' is a seedling from 'inaba shidare' (guys I know Vertrees claims that they are one in the same, but I have convincing information that says otherwise). They are similar, but some claim there are distinct differences (and by distinct I mean practically with a magnifying glass). Other similar common cultivars include 'crimson queen', 'tamukeyama', 'garnet', and the newer 'red dragon'. A couple of good red upright cultivars include 'bloodgood' and 'fireglow'. Search these names and this should shed some light on what the differences are.
...See More
hawki
19 years ago
Guess I should show a Japanese maple in its Fall color: this is Oshi-Beni. It's almost as bright red in the Spring too.
Don

Here is a link that might be useful:
soobee
Original Author
19 years ago
**I'd suspect you're looking at Amur maples,which freely seed all over the place (they are a pest in my woods), and form thickets along some of the roadsides here in town that right now are glowing red and orange**

Hmmm..well, these WERE planted right up next to two different houses--clearly they were *ornamental* plantings. But, you never know! Maybe they *were* amurs. I'll look into the Korean maples for now...thanks for the information! (I haven't been to Iowa City in a year, but lived there from '79--'84. I'll take you up on the amur offer if I'm heading that way some day. :-)
whitewater176z5a
19 years ago
not sure of the cultivar but we have had a japanese maple here in zone 5 for 4 years and seems to be doing great
Greenthumb
19 years ago
I hope you don't mind a "Minnesotan" barging in on this thread?

Here is a picture of my Acer pseudosieboldianum in fall color. This tree is usually orange rather than red. This tree is completely hardy here in Minneapolis (Northern edge of zone 4a).

Acer pseudosieboldianum 10-29-04

{{gwi:1002190}}

Mike
soobee
Original Author
19 years ago
**Here is a picture of my Acer pseudosieboldianum in fall color.**

What a gorgeous tree! Are those leaves as variegated as they appear in the picture?

Thanks, all, for the advice, btw. I've bought two amur maples ('embers' and 'flame') and have planted them in the front yard. If the rabbits allow them to live, it should be lovely there, soon....
Greenthumb
19 years ago
SooBee,
Yes, the leaves look in-person exactly like they do in the picture. This tree has normal green leaves during the growing season, but the leaves had a wonderful mix of colors this fall. I love the effect of the dark orange center and the light orange edge that the leaves showed this fall.
Mike
soobee
Original Author
19 years ago
Hey, just wanted to let you all know that there's a great sale on the tree under discussion-Acer pseudosieboldianum--till January 31st, at Magic Maples. You get a large, aproximately 4 foot tree for 10% PLUS free shipping. Since it's in a 2-gallon pot, and coming from California, that's quite a savings on freight. Here's the link:

http://www.mountainmaples.com/WS4D_Cookie=1.21.05_08,35,31_19/*ws4d-db-query-Class_Quicksearch.ws4d?ClassNo=302

I've already ordered mine. :-)

Related Stories

TREES 11 Japanese Maples for Breathtaking Color and Form

By Jay Sifford Garden Design

With such a wide range to choose from, there’s a beautiful Japanese maple to suit almost any setting

GARDENING GUIDES 12 Japanese Maples for a Sunny Garden

By Jay Sifford Garden Design

The right maple in the right place shines in hot summer sun

GARDENING GUIDES 13 Japanese Maples for Shade

By Jay Sifford Garden Design

A surprising variety of these understory trees is waiting to make a statement in your shade garden

GARDENING AND LANDSCAPING Great Design Tree: Japanese Maple

By Annie Thornton

Lacy form and fiery fall color make Japanese maple a welcome tree for garden or patio

TREES Great Design Plant: Coral Bark Japanese Maple, a Winter Standout

By Paintbox Garden

Go for garden gusto during the chilly season with the fiery red stems of this unusual Japanese maple

GARDENING GUIDES 5 Amazing Small Maple Trees

There's more to maples than syrup. Expand your maple milieu with any of these 5 small and unusual trees

LANDSCAPE DESIGN Great Design Plant: Vine Maple

Exciting year-round color and adaptability make this highly ornamental native small tree a top choice for home gardens

PATIOS Backyard Ideas: Writer's Studio and a Japanese-Inspired Garden

By Annie Thornton

A nearby Japanese garden inspires a feature-packed backyard and studio for a work-from-home Portland writer

LANDSCAPE DESIGN Lay of the Landscape: Create the Beauty of a Japanese Garden

By Marianne Lipanovich

Balance, enclosures and the forms of nature combine in serene Japanese garden design. Bring the look home with some of these principles

APARTMENTS Houzz Tour: Modern Japanese Penthouse Atop a Designer’s Office

By Becky Harris

Vintage obis, petrified wood, Samurai armbands and antique fans are just a few of the materials that warm this California apartment

Sponsored

Everingham Design

Columbus' Home Design Experts Specializing in Custom Cabinets