Re: [SG] Pruning Japanese Maple
- To: s*@MAELSTROM.STJOHNS.EDU
- Subject: Re: [SG] Pruning Japanese Maple
- From: "* B* K* N* <B*@AOL.COM>
- Date: Wed, 9 Jun 1999 20:41:49 EDT
Kemberley - Michael Dirr's "Manual of Woody Landscape Plants" on acer
palmatum
var. atropurpureum -
NON-DISSECTED TYPES
"Leaves reddish-purple, 5-7(9) lobed, color usually fades with maturity and
summer heat, excellent in spring and fall for red coloration; seedlings
produced from seeds of the type are variable in leaf coloration, the better
red-leaved seedlings generally command a superior price, several plants in
the Botanical Garden (note:- probably U of Ga) are somewhat disappointing
since the purplish red spring leaf color only persists into June before
turning green; if one wants superior foliage color then choose a good
cultivar"
Under LANDSCAPE VALUE he states "Probably one of the most flexible maple
species as far as landscape uses; magnificent specimen, accent plant, shrub
border, grouping, bonsai; definitely lends an artistic and aristocratic
touch; considering the tremendous heat in the south I am amazed at the number
of choice specimens; even in full sun the plant does reasonably well; the
purple leaf forms appear to lose the pronounced color earlier in the growing
season; there are a number of Japanese Maples, including 'Dissectum
Atropurpureum' in the Athens area and most have prospered"
Dirr then recommends " - anyone serious about cultivars consult the 2nd
edition of
J.D.Vertrees magnificent reference Japanese Maples, Timber Press, Portland,
Oregon.
Probably there you will find an abundance of information on pruning.
Have fun, stay cool!
Betty Barrows
Kinderhook NY Zone 5
