Get Planting.... some maple magic

As it’s National Tree Week next week, don’t let an opportunity go by to plant something inspiring for the future.

Of all the trees you choose for the garden, maples are among the most ornamental and bewitching, perhaps beating birch in terms of sheer diversity of size, habit, and colour of stems, leaves and fruit. Many are ideal for the smaller garden, either because they’re naturally compact, or slow growing and the open canopy of larger species means they can be underplanted with other shrubs and perennials to maximise the use of space.

Although some species are happy in the open garden, many smaller, more ornamental types prefer a sheltered position, in light or dappled shade, than direct sun, particularly when young and still establishing, and none more so than the intricately leaved and variegated forms of Japanese maples selected from Acer palmatum and A. shirasawanum. Both are easily frazzled in hot, dry, sunny conditions, and their new growth can also be damaged by late frost when it emerges in spring, though they soon recover.

Japanese maples are sublime, with hundreds of varieties available each full of character, some compact, dome shaped, or layered, others open and airy, ideal for small borders or in patio pots. The young branches and bark of the so-called snake-bark maples, such as A. conspicuum and

A. davidii, is astonishing and in winter make a dramatic feature, particularly when picked out in winter light, so give them space to shine.

Their leaves are also architecturally attractive, as are the winged fruits, and the foliage performs reliably in autumn, turning orange, yellow and red before falling, making them indispensable at this time of year.