Japanese maples, with their vibrant crimson leaves, are a beloved feature in gardens nationwide. However, without proper care, these radiant leaves can quickly deteriorate and turn an unsightly brown, becoming a blot on the landscape.
As we enjoy another week of sunshine, there is one particular warning sign garden enthusiasts should look out for, as it could signal the demise of your cherished acer. Japanese maples flourish in temperate climates, so when subjected to the sun's intense UV rays, their leaves can rapidly become scorched. Once scorched, leaves will dry out, curl up, and shrivel before they begin to die back, leaving branches noticeably bare.
One early indication that leaves are getting scorched is when vivid reds, pinks, and oranges start to fade to grey and brown. If leaves do get scorched, recovery may take time, but with effort, you can still look forward to a spectacular autumn display.
Gardening guru Roger Eavis from GreenShutters shares two top tips: keep the soil or compost well-watered and never let it dry out. Most Japanese maples will grow happily in direct sun if kept well-watered—once a day during hot weather if in a pot, and two or three times a week if planted in the ground. If not, plant them where they will get shade for part of the day. He also recommends relocating your maple to a sheltered spot away from strong winds, especially when new leaves are sprouting.
The RHS echoes this advice and suggests adding mulch around the base of the tree to retain moisture, but not up to the trunk to avoid rot or disease.
