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can you grow a japanese maple in southern california

by Miss Wava Hammes Sr. Published 3 years ago Updated 3 years ago

With their weeping branches and intense colors, Japanese maples are some of the most stunning ornamental trees for SoCal landscapes.

How to select the perfect Japanese maple tree?

Part 1 Part 1 of 3: Assessing Your Growing Conditions Download Article

  1. Determine whether a Japanese maple is well suited for your climate. Japanese maples are delicate trees, and prefer temperate climates.
  2. Make sure you have adequate space. Before you rush out to buy your first sapling, make a note of how much room the tree will have to grow in ...
  3. Plant your Japanese maple in a container to conserve space. ...

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How should I plant and care for a Japanese maple?

Japanese Maples: A Guide to Planting and Care

  • Japanese Maple 101. Their colors make Japanese maples stand out. ...
  • Growing Japanese Maple. Its splendor isn't the only thing that makes the Japanese maple a winning choice. ...
  • Planting Japanese Maples. This is subject of some debate. ...
  • Caring for Japanese Maples. Less is more. ...
  • Japanese Maple Varieties to Consider. ...

How to grow a Japanese maple?

Steps

  1. Choose a Japanese maple. There are many possible choices because a number of different forms of the Japanese maple have been cultivated over the last few centuries.
  2. Read the label accompanying your cultivar. There may be specific needs that apply to your particular cultivar that should be followed.
  3. Select free-draining soil of good quality. ...

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How to care for a dying Japanese maple tree?

  • Provide a wind break. This can be a fence or additional plants or shrubs that provide a buffer to any drying winds.
  • Increase the amount of shade. This is only if your Japanese maples in in full sun. ...
  • Water the maple generously and apply mulch. ...

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Can a Japanese maple tree grow in California?

These Japanese maples were selected because they are unique or exceptional and will grow and thrive in California.

Can maple trees grow in Southern California?

Mountain Maple (Acer glabrum var. torreyi) is a native tree or shrub that grows in northern, southern and central California. It tends to grow in moist slopes and canyons, at elevations from 4900-9200 feet.

Which Japanese maple is the most heat tolerant?

Acer palmatum 'Fireglow' One of the most heat-tolerant Japanese maples, 'Fireglow' keeps its brilliant burgundy color even during periods of intense heat.

Can I grow a Japanese maple in San Diego?

Tolerates some heat, but they grow best in Zones 5 to 8. Poway is a 9, but I have seen plenty of Japanese Maples that grow just fine here.

Can Japanese Maple tolerate full sun?

Dappled or Afternoon Shade - A mature Japanese Maple thrives in full sun everywhere but the southernmost portions of its hardiness range, but is also happy with a bit more shade. It does need some sun for best foliage color, but the amount you give it can vary greatly.

Do Japanese Maple trees lose their leaves in California?

Do all Japanese maples lose their leaves? Yes! Japanese maples are deciduous trees. During October and November maples provide a lovely show of fall color. Then in late November, or December, the leaves drop.

Where is the best place to plant a Japanese maple?

Ideally, they should be placed in a spot with dappled shade. Japanese maple foliage is prone to leaf scorch in hot and dry locations in full sun. Scorched leaves develop brown margins and often drop from the tree by mid to late summer.

How do you protect a Japanese maple from the sun?

Planting a Japanese Maple in front of a western or southwestern windbreak of conifers or other evergreens will provide good shielding, or plant these trees on the eastern side of the house, garage or other structure to provide that essential barrier.

Can Japanese maple grow in hot climate?

If you live in a hot, arid climate: Japanese maples are fairly heat tolerant. References often list them as hardy up to Zone 7 or 8, but many gardeners successfully grow them in higher Zones. However, in hot, dry climates, the leaves will often scorch, therefore protection from the afternoon sun is important.

What temperature can Japanese maples tolerate?

Generally, Japanese maples thrive in areas where the average minimum temperature remains above -10 degrees F (USDA Plant Hardiness Zone 6), but some can tolerate temperatures as low as -30 F (Zone 4). Most prefer part sun with afternoon shade because their delicate leaves are prone to scorching.

Can Japanese maple grow in zone 10a?

Zone: Most Japanese maples do well in zones 5 – 8. They can be grown in warmer zones, but can suffer from leaf scorch and require ample regular summer irrigation and protection from hot afternoon sun.

Can Japanese maple survive in Las Vegas?

The summer heat of Vegas is not very conducive to growing Japanese Maples.

Plus, Master Gardener Laura Simpson has tips on how to prep for planting next year

Japanese maple trees are happiest in partial sun locations with 4 hours of full sun per day. Southern California’s full sun can become a bit too much for the trees. (Getty Images)

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What type of maples grow in Zone 9?

Types of Japanese Maples for Zone 9. Some species of Japanese maple work better than others in warm zone 9 areas. You’ll want to pick one of these for your zone 9 Japanese maple. Here are a few “hot weather Japanese maples” that are worth a try:

How tall is a palmate maple tree?

If you want a palmate maple, consider ‘Glowing Embers,” a beautiful tree that reaches 30 feet (9 m.) tall when grown in the landscape. It offers exceptional fall color too. If you like the delicate look of lace-leaf maples, ‘Seiryu’ is a cultivar to look at.

Is Japanese maple cold hardy?

Japanese maples tend to do better at being cold hardy than heat tolerant. Excess warm weather can injure the trees in several ways. First, Japanese maple for zone 9 may not get an adequate period of dormancy. But also, hot sun and dry winds can injure the plants.

Japanese Maple in Los Angeles --Is it possible?

Someone I know wants to grow large Japanese maples in pots in LA. I do not think they will do well. Has anyone grown them in Southern California?

Comments (9)

This is good information. I grew them in Georgia with acidic soil and 50 inches of rain a year. They were gorgeous. I just find it difficult to believe they will do well in San Diego. I have actually never seen one anywhere in San Diego.

Where do Japanese maples grow?

Japanese maples generally grow in zones 5-9a. They grow reasonably well in areas like northern Florida, but growing can be tricky by the time you reach the central 9b zone. Year-long warm temperatures can cause a lack in the dormancy pattern. Strong sunlight, dry winds, or salty, alkaline soil can make growing difficult.

How tall does a Japanese maple get?

They have that typical red leaf and can reach 20 feet tall. Fireglow-This smaller version of a bloodgood, only grows to 12 feet.

What is the best plant to grow in a container?

Glowing Embers– This will grow to about 10 ft with young red leaves fading into a bronzy gold as the seasons change. Sango Kaku– The sango kaku is best known for its coral red bark that turns gray with the season. Green leaves turn to a yellow-gold.

How big does a lace leaf grow?

Dissecums– (Lace Leaf) Crimson Queen– This weeping deep red lace leaf grows in a thick, leafy mound to about 5 feet. Tamukeyama– A strong, fast growing variety, its thick leaves change from bright red to dark purple. It will grow to about 5 feet. Inaba Shidare– This plant will quickly grow to 5 feet.

How tall does a moonfire tree grow?

Its a fast grower and can reach heights up to 25 feet tall. Moonfire– Moonfires look more like a tree than a shrub. Covered in dark, black-red leaves, it will grow 15-18 feet. Matsumurae-(Leaves divided more than ¾ down the base) Oregon Sunset-This compact tree grows well in containers. In ground it will grow to 12 ft.

How big do Amoenum leaves get?

They are well known for the intense crimson they turn during the fall. They can grow to 20 feet, but will stay smaller in warmer climates.

Is Shantung Maple a Japanese maple?

Sishigashira holds color well in heat. Miscellaneous Varieties–. Shantung Maple– The Shantung is not a true Japanese maple, but the delicate leaves make it look very similar. Because this tough tree tolerates full sun, Texas A&M University designated it as a Texas Superstar Tree.

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