With their wonderful beauty, grace and form, maples can be upright or weeping. Their stunning foliage colours change with the seasons and provide interest and vibrancy to any garden. Whether grown as a feature tree or in pots, on the balcony or in your courtyard, every garden should have one.
Planting Calendar
Maples do best when planted in winter and spring, although they can be planted in summer as long as they are out of the full sun.
Prepare
Position
Maples prefer a position out of harsh winds and hot sun. Ideally suited to a sheltered position in full to partial shade with protection from the hot midday sun.
Soil
When planted into the ground Maples like a free draining soil that is rich in organic matter. When grown in containers, plant into Kings Container mix. This contains added water storage crystals and Saturaid, two products that help maintain moisture in the soil.
Plant
Gently tap the plant out of its pot. Dig a hole twice the depth and width of the plants root ball. Mix Kings Compost, Sheep Pellets and Kings 24 Plus Fertiliser together into your existing soil. Back fill the hole with this soil, so that when planted the top of the plant’s roots sit level with the surrounding ground. Firm the soil down gently and water in well with Aquaticus Garden Booster. In heavier clay soils, where drainage is likely to be an issue, plant onto a slight mound and sprinkle Gypsum Clay Breaker into the bottom of the hole, this helps slowly condition the soil and help to break down the clay.
Care
Watering
Watering is essential especially in the first year of planting to allow the roots to get well established. Water slowly, allowing the water to sink down into the roots, rather than allowing it to run off the top of the surface. Add Saturaid into the soil at planting as this will help channel the water deep down into the root zone. Consider setting up an automatic watering system – these can be simple and inexpensive.
Feeding
Liquid feed every month with Aquaticus Garden Booster, from Spring through to the end of Autumn, this encourages root growth and a healthy immune system. Monthly applications of Kings Sheep Pellets will help with soil conditioning and plant health.
Protecting
Sucking insects and scale can be a problem, spray with Groventive Systemic Insecticide at first sign of insects.
Pruning
Prune in autumn to maintain shape, remove any branches that are diseased or crossing over each other.
General Care
When using sprays, chemicals or fertilisers always read the label and follow the instructions. Apply sprays in the evening to avoid harming beneficial insects.
Beginner Tip
With grafted varieties watch out for any shoots that grow up from below the graft. Remove these as soon as they appear.
Expert Tip
Brown tips on the leaves are a sign of dry soil or too much wind.
Top Varieties
Bloodgood
One of the better red varieties, Spring growth appears as rich red holding its colour well through summer. In autumn the colour deepens before falling. Grows to 4m x 3m
Viridis
A weeping variety that has fresh soft green foliage in spring turning to golden yellow and orange in Autumn. Grows to 1.5m x 1m
Crimson Queen
A weeping variety that has a cascading effect. Its leaves are fine and are crimson red which intensifies in Autumn. Grows to 1.5m x1m
Frequently Asked Questions
Why do the leaves go brown?
Usually the more delicate the Maple leaf is, the more protection it will need from wind & sun. Relocate to a sheltered spot and ensure that the soil is kept moist.