Alan Titchmarsh has named the Japanese Maple as his recommended tree for gardens of any size, praising its practical benefits and striking autumn display. The gardening expert highlighted that at this time of year, the tree's autumn colour is particularly impressive.
Ideal for small gardens
According to Titchmarsh, the Japanese Maple is versatile and well-suited to compact urban gardens. He noted that the tree is obliging and fits into the smallest of spaces because it does not grow terribly large. While some varieties can reach heights of up to 30ft, dwarf cultivars stop at just three feet, making them suitable for containers in small patio gardens.
The tree is at its finest during this period, with foliage turning rich, blazing reds and yellows. Titchmarsh explained on his gardening YouTube channel that colder weather starts the sugars in the leaves forming, turning them a lovely reddish colour. He also pointed out that the stems, described as coral red, provide colour through the winter after the leaves fall.
Growth and maintenance
The Japanese Maple is not a rapid-growing tree, increasing by roughly six to 12 inches annually on average, with some slower varieties gaining only a few inches each year. Its roots are relatively non-invasive and unlikely to cause significant damage to nearby walls or underground pipes, which is reassuring for those gardening in confined spaces.
Titchmarsh advised that the tree is straightforward to maintain if sheltered from intense sunlight and drying winds. He cautioned that branches may occasionally die back without clear cause, recommending that gardeners snip off any dead stems as soon as they appear to prevent the dieback from spreading further down the stem.
Planting and care tips
Japanese Maples can be planted at virtually any time of year, though planting during the dormant season or in early spring or autumn is widely regarded as best for establishment. Titchmarsh suggested selecting a spot with dappled shade and watering thoroughly immediately after planting, while avoiding overwatering.
Smaller specimens can happily live four or five years in a container before needing repotting. With proper care, Japanese Maple trees can flourish for several decades, with some well-tended examples known to have survived for well over a century.
