ideas for planting a tree with plants as a groupin the backyard

last year

last modified: last year

I am trying to get some ideas on how to group plants with Japanese maple trees. I have created a berm on each side of my backyard planting area and 3 japanese maple trees, Sango gaku, blood good, another and more mature 16 galon sango gaku (but only the bark is red with no light green/yellow leaves). I have purchased Sunshine and Chinese fringe plant, 2 each, and lastly 2 other plants so far. Would anyone can share some ideas on how to plant in groups. As you can see, I have berms on each side. I would welcome some inputs on plant choice with Japanese maple trees.

Most importantly, my area has dry and mild climate, a SF bay area. zone 9.

Featured Answer

pricklypearcactus

last year

Just looking online, the two tree specimins you've selected need the following space:

Sango-Kuku Maple: 15-20ft wide x 20-25ft tall
Bloodgood Japanese Maple: 15ft wide x 15-20ft tall

Do you have at least 45ft of width? I do agree it would be helpful to be able to see the whole bed in one shot and/or a layout of the space. From the pictures it kind of looks like you really only have room for two maples, one in each bed. But I could be completely wrong.

Are the beds symmetrical? If so, that's another consideration. Might be best to plant the two matching Sango-Kuku maples and find another home for the Bloodgood.

Japanese maples get very large in width and in height and are best planted as specimens in a front yard

While I don't agree that they need to be planted in a front yard, I do agree that they are beautiful specimens and are best planted where they have sufficient space and visibility to really appreciate their beauty. The previous owners of my house planted two Japanese maples. One lovely red Japanese maple is beautifully placed in a big bed in front of the light taupe stucco and it really shines. The other one would have been a lovely green Japanese maple but they planted the tree so close to the fence that it's slightly stunted and misshapen. They allowed vines to choke it and I'm trying to see if it can be saved. If they'd just planted it in a better location, it would be a show piece in the corner of my yard. I think a similar problem will happen if you plant all three trees without sufficient space. One or more will end up choked and misshapen.

Comments (17)

gardengal48 (PNW Z8/9)
last year
How large are these bermed areas? Sounds like a lotta trees for not very much space.........

As to plant choices with Japanese maples, pick something that can be left in place without needing division or replanting or much attention - compact evergreen shrubs or grasses or ground covers. JM's have very delicate and sensitive root systems and cultivation in the root zone can lead to some potentially serious issues.
PRO
Flo Mangan
last year
Hard to tell with plants setting in beds. If you could move plants out of view and post separate photos of them we could experiment with mock ups for getting placement right.
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Morning sun/afternoon shade: Perfect conditions for Hydrangea, Fothergilla, Abelia, Loropetalum, Illicium, much better choices than boxwoods. With all due respect, I do not like your proposed photoshop rendering. It's way too symmetrical for my taste. Envision something like a dwarf oakleaf hydrangea on either side of the steps to anchor the beds. That's all the symmetry you need. Vary the rest. On the gabled end of the house where the AC unit is, the big expanse of wall is calling for something with height. I would plant a small tree far enough away from the foundation so that it isn't a nuisance (Styrax, Crape Myrtle, Halesia, etc). I really think that's all you need there...your AC units are already nicely screened.
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RedRyder
last year
Not sure you have enough room for several trees together. They will grow and possibly suffocate each other. One Japanese maple with low, shade happy plants in each is enough. Coleus look beautiful under trees.
gardengal48 (PNW Z8/9)
last year
Spacing is my primary concern as well, which is why I asked for the size of these bermed planting areas. Bloodgood and Sango Kaku are two of the largest growing cultivars of Japanese maples, reaching 25' or more in height and with an equal spread. I just don't see how all these are going to fit and the patio and walkways still be navigable.
Julie Wade thanked gardengal48 (PNW Z8/9)
ken_adrian Adrian MI cold Z5
last year
i wish i could see the whole planting beds .. in one pic.. any chance you want or can climb on the roof and give us the ultimate overview ...

is that a screen door or art in the left corner.. do you plan one of the trees in that corner???

ken
PRO
Patricia Colwell Consulting
last year
last modified: last year
IMO we need a to scale plan of the space but Japanese maples get very large in width and in height and are best planted as specimens in a front yard. trees grow and when planning for them you plan for the size they will become .
gardengal48 (PNW Z8/9)
last year
"are best planted as specimens in a front yard."

A totally subjective assessment. Japanese maples come in a very wide range of shapes and sizes and you can find a type that will fit just about any planting situation - front yard, back yard, side yard, balcony container, etc.
chloebud
last year
We‘ve had a variety of JM’s for years and I agree with gardengal.
Julie Wade thanked chloebud
PRO
Flo Mangan
last year
I would do only one specimen tree probably a dwarf variety in each main area with different leaf and coloration. Then use a few boulders and ground plants for contrast. Keep it simple and reduce number of plants to minimum.
Julie Wade thanked Flo Mangan
Fori
last year
No comment about the plant placement but I love your take on a lawn-free yard. Very nice.
shirlpp
last year
You really need to map out spots for the Sango Kaku or the Bloodgood as your specimen, then reassess(not unless you provide more pics and measurements).
PRO
Flo Mangan
last year
Since we don’t have good overall sense of the space, here are some inspirational photos. You might be able to use a decorative pot for one of the trees and once it settles in probably Fall trim it nicely for the view it’s in. Some interesting boulders for texture and added contrast always is good. Some sculpted specimens might help
Julie Wade thanked Flo Mangan
Julie Wade
Original Author
last year
Thank you, everyone who sent comments on my posting. I do not plan on planting all different JM in the same space. I wasn't sure whichJM would fit the space better in the overall layout of my backyard. I will post some better pictures soon.
Julie Wade
Original Author
last year
What would be a ground planting near JM in Sunny area in zone 9 drought tolerant as well?
Julie Wade
Original Author
last year
Wondering if " Super Blue Lilyturf Liriope Grass Plant with Violet Purple Flowers " would work? the color might clash or not with maple and other green plants?
gardengal48 (PNW Z8/9)
last year
last modified: last year
The Japanese maples are not at all drought tolerant so does the groundcover have to be? My preferred GC's for use with Japanese maples are Veronica peduncularis 'Georgia Blue' and Rubus calyciniodes. And epimediums.

btw, those size estimates stated by pricklypearcactus are most definitely on the conservative end of the scale.
Julie Wade thanked gardengal48 (PNW Z8/9)