skip to main content

JM cultivar suggestion zone 6b eastern Kentucky

cearbhaill (zone 6b Eastern Kentucky)

13 years ago

I need cultivar suggestions for JM's that can take the most shade.

My area is tucked back about 15 feet in from the edge of some fairly dense white oak, red oak, hickory woods- typical eastern Kentucky hills. It will get some east to south morning sun, but not for more that two hours tops, and occasional spatterings throughout the day.

I have an Oridono nishiki in the same area that is doing very well, so I am hoping for something that will contrast nicely with that. Hoping for a green palmatum but variegated is acceptable as I know they are better in lower light. I just hate to duplicate what I already have. Prefer weeping to upright, smaller and shrubby is good. I think I could be interested in a fan shaped leaf as well.

Eventual size not over 10 feet, but I am a great pruner/staker and already have a high maintenance yard. Winter got to -20ÂºF once last year though that is not common and I can protect if need be. Summers hot and humid but my woods stay fairly well ventilated. Hoping for something that will pop in the lower light portions of the day and make a stunning architectural impact as this will be a focal point in a pet cemetery. Autumn coloration is not so much an issue.

If you need more info just ask.

And thanks!

Sort by:Oldest

Comments (3)

mafle
13 years ago
A few that do well in a fairly shady situation like you describe, are slow growing and fairly small, and are all quite different from each other, include the following (look them up and see if you like any):

Acer shirasawanum 'Aureum' - round fan shaped yellow/green leaves.
Acer palmatum 'Tsuma gaki' - the light green leaves have persimmon-red fingernails in spring.
Acer p. 'Shigitatsu sawa' - Green and cream reticulated leaf.
Acer p. 'Filigree' - A delicately colored dissected leaf cultivar.

As it is for a pet cemetary you might also want to consider the 'Ghost' series from Buchholz & Buchholz, 'First Ghost' and 'Sister Ghost' are said to look good in shade.

To be honest most of the green cultivars would do OK in the situation described, it is just the red/purple leaved forms which should be avoided as they color poorly in a shady situation.
cearbhaill (zone 6b Eastern Kentucky)
Original Author
13 years ago
I bought a three year Acer shirasawanum 'Aureum'.
Wish me luck- from everything I have read I have just the perfect spot and soil conditions.
I had been wanting one forever but let the finicky nature of the tree deter me. No more- no guts no glory!
Related Discussions
Need plant suggestions
Q
Comments (4)
Long Needles? Pinus koraiensis Look for cultivars of these too (all): This information was borrowed from The Lovett Pinetum Charity. I'll guess these pines would be pretty well-suited for your climate. I'll include the link as there's a lot of useful information. A. "Easy": Shortleaf (P. echinata) Eastern White (P. strobus) Loblolly (P. taeda) Red (P. resinosa) Virginia (P. virginiana) Jack (P. banksiana) Southwestern White (P. strobiformis) Pitch (P. rigida) Pond (P. serotina) Table Mountain (P. pungens) Ponderosa (P. ponderosa, both subspecies scopulorum and ponderosa) Jeffrey (P. jeffreyi) Dax Here is a link that might be useful: The Lovette Pinetum Charitable Foundation
...See More
Upright Red Japanese Maple Suggestions
Q
Comments (2)
'Bloodgood' is the standard by which all other red leaved upright Japanese maples are measured :-) Dark crimson or even maroon-hued foliage is going to be pretty much standard for most red leaved cultivars (that reach the size you want) but exact coloring will depend somewhat on siting - more sun might lighten or green out the coloring, less sun might darken it. 'Emperor I' is another excellent choice. And you are correct, the cultivar 'Bloodgood' has become a bit watered down over the years, primarily due to its extreme popularity and a few less than highly disciplined growers. Some BG's are being sold that are even seed grown and are therefore NOT technically BG's at all! Make sure you are selecting from an experienced and reputable grower who is using quality grafting stock, not from a box store or other mass marketer.
...See More
With winter protection can handle being out in the open NE Ohio zone 5
Q
Comments (22)
Natchez Glen...I've had the Ryusen for a number of years...until we had the nasty arctic air move in for long periods. Never an issue with walnut seedlings. Glad to hear it's not the actual juglone that is an issue. Never in 24 years of living here...have we had any seedlings appear from our tree. Guess we have hungry critters out in our rural area to leave them root. Trust me...I enjoy working in the yard...and my bonsai hobby. But, I believe it pays to know what one is getting into. Since it's a large investment for trees especially. But, also since I have years back lost much landscape material not understanding juglone was an issue or that it even existed. The nursery staff is what wigged me out saying that it would be difficult with my wanting to plant in the open. Thus...my asking questions here. I wanted to stack the deck in my favor with my next selection.
...See More
Need help choosing a Sugar Maple cultivar please!
Q
Comments (40)
Manor View Farm in Balto Co, has sugar maple in their inventory. You will have to have your contractor place the order and pick them up. Someone like Stadler Nursery should have them (many locations) Waverly Farm nr Frederick -wholesale- We live in Northern Maryland, right on the PA line...... well that narrows it down to about 240 miles, so I will assume you are in the eastern part where I am. If you want to try the retail route consider: Valley View Farm, Sun Nursery, Homestead Gardens, in MD Merrifield's or Betty's Azalea Ranch in Fairfax Co, its a matter of calling around and shopping around, ask when they get their fall shipments in. Below is an interesting cover from our state's promotional literature. The sugar maples are a cultivar because they are all so uniform. I can't say which one, maybe 'Green Mountain' Location is Buckeystown Pike south of Frederick.
...See More
kaitain4
13 years ago
C.

You will Love your A.s. 'Aureum'! They aren't as hard as people say, they just need some shade.

I talked to a 90 year old nursery owner in Seattle who specializes in that cultivar, and has an 18 foot specimen that you would die for!! She said the secret is not to over-water and NEVER any fertilizer. Maybe worm castings once in a while. NO FERT!!

My 'Aureum' is now almost 5 feet high and loves the shady north-east side of the house I put it on.

Related Stories

GARDENING GUIDES Great Design Plant: Grow Blueberries for Their Fruit and More

By Ellen Sousa/Turkey Hill Brook Farm

Eastern gardeners should consider growing blueberry plants for their delicious fruits, bee-friendly spring blooms and brilliant fall foliage

GARDENING GUIDES 6 Native Ground Covers for Tough, Dry Spots

By Benjamin Vogt / Monarch Gardens

Sun beating down on your sandy gravel? Thick shade darkening your clay soil? There’s a ground cover here for you

GARDENING GUIDES 6 Plants That Beat Butterfly Bush for the Wildlife Draw

By Benjamin Vogt / Monarch Gardens

It's invasive, a nonnative and a poor insect magnet. Check out these better alternatives to butterfly bush in the garden

GARDENING GUIDES 6 Rockin’ Red Plants for Winter Gardens

By Paintbox Garden

Use the bright berries or branches of these cold-climate favorites for outdoor garden interest or container arrangements anywhere

GARDENING GUIDES 6 Deer-Resistant Ground Covers to Plant This Fall

Learn about some of the only low, spreading plants that are reliably deer-resistant

LIFE 6 Ways to Cool Off Without Air Conditioning

By Mariana Pickering (Emu Building Science)

These methods can reduce temperatures in the home and save on energy bills

FLOWERS Get Coneflower Blooms All Summer Long

By Benjamin Vogt / Monarch Gardens

Plant these 5 native species to bring beauty to the garden — and pollen to the insects — from June through August

GARDENING GUIDES Top 12 Summer-Blooming Perennials for Deer-Resistant Drama

Can you have garden color, fragrance and exciting foliage with hungry deer afoot? These beauties say yes

LANDSCAPE DESIGN Great Design Plant: Sun-Loving Ninebark Puts on a Color Show

By Jay Sifford Garden Design

This tall, dark and handsome native shrub is equally at home in jeans and boots or in a suit and tie

FRONT YARD IDEAS Before and After: Front Lawn to Prairie Garden

By Benjamin Vogt / Monarch Gardens

How they did it: Homeowners create a plan, stick to it and keep the neighbors (and wildlife) in mind

Sponsored

NME Builders LLC

2 Reviews

Industry Leading General Contractors in Franklin County, OH

More Discussions

Usugumo HTF : Hard to Find

2

Acer First Flame

3

Nursery Container Mediums - Sand ?

0

Scion Height When Grafting

0