Alan Titchmarsh has named the Japanese maple as his favourite tree that every garden should have, praising its autumn colour and versatility. The Gardeners' World specialist recommends it for gardens of any size, noting that "at this time of year in particular, their autumn colour is stupendous."
Perfect for compact gardens
He considers the tree ideal for compact, urban gardens, saying: "I have never met anybody who doesn't like Japanese maples...they're so obliging and they will fit in the smallest of gardens because they don't grow terribly large." While some varieties can reach 30ft, dwarf varieties grow to just three feet, making them suitable for containers in patio gardens.
Japanese maples are at their best during autumn, when their foliage turns rich reds and yellows. On his gardening YouTube channel, Alan explains: "The colder weather starts those sugars in the leaf forming and turning them a lovely reddish colour. And when you look at the stems, they're always described as coral red. When the leaves have fallen, as they do on all Japanese maples, the stems are revealed and they provide colour right through the winter."
Easy to maintain
Japanese maples are not particularly fast-growing, increasing by around six to 12 inches a year on average, though some slower-growing varieties add only a few inches annually. Their roots are relatively non-invasive, generally posing little threat to nearby walls or underground pipes.
They are relatively easy to maintain, provided they are protected from intense sunlight and strong winds. Alan cautions that branches may occasionally die back, saying: "We don't always know why, but keep your eyes open when you see little stems which have died. Snip them off as soon as you see them to avoid that dieback going further down the stem. Then you will usually arrest it."
Planting and care
Japanese maples can be planted at various times of the year, though autumn and early spring are generally good times, allowing the trees to establish before extreme temperatures. Alan recommends a spot with dappled shade, watering thoroughly immediately after planting but avoiding overwatering.
Smaller specimens will "happily live four or five years" in a container before needing repotting. With proper care, Japanese maples can thrive for decades, with some well-maintained examples surviving more than a century.
