Beautiful Japanese maple trees grace many gardens all over the world, and not just in Japan. This ornamental tree has become a globally desirable and high-demand landscaping choice. Much of it has to do with the benefits of Japanese maple trees— many of which carry over across the wide varieties to choose from and grow.
Why choose a Japanese maple tree for your yard or landscape?
There are numerous reasons, but we’ve compiled a shortlist of some of our favorite varieties and the top perks you can get from this statement tree. Read more below to find out.
Beautiful ornamental landscaping
Though these trees originate in Japan, Japanese maple trees are indeed true maples, related to American maples like sugar maple or mountain maple. But unlike these larger wild trees, Japanese maples make for incredible ornamental landscaping options.
Some of the best Japanese maple tree varieties for ornamental landscaping include Coral Bark (also known as Sango Kaku), Bloodgood, and Crimson Queen. All of these are classics and usually easy to find in stock at our nursery.
Unique and stunning foliage
Japanese maple trees are notable for their remarkably beautiful foliage. Unlike typical trees with only green leaves, these maples boast incredible hues that change colors throughout the season, ranging from fiery red to majestic purple, oranges to golden yellow shades, and bright or dark green tones.
No matter the color, they add a dash of vibrant and unique foliage that few other trees can rival. Some must-haves if you’re looking for the most unusual and striking Japanese maple trees are Viridis (also known as Weeping Green Laceleaf), Emperor One (or Emperor 1), Waterfall, and the incredible bicolor Aconitifolium (also known as Fernleaf full moon).
Fantastic growing versatility
Enough about appearances (though you can never get enough beholding a Japanese maple!) These maple trees are also highly sought after for their toughness. That’s right: many varieties can grow just about anywhere, under many conditions, and in many different types of soils and regions, even poor and acidic soils.
Practically all varieties show impressive versatility. Red Dragon, however, is renowned for being one of the most tolerant and widely adaptable to many different conditions. Its foliage will even change color in response to the cold!
Compact size
Have a small yard or garden? Don’t want to shade all your other plants— ornamental, edible, vegetable, or otherwise? This is one of the reasons why the Japanese maple tree can be a perfect fit: it can fit perfectly in most outdoor areas because it is smaller and more compact than most other trees.
In fact, there are even many dwarf varieties, some under 10 feet tall. Some great ones include Koto No Ito (also known as Harp Strings), and the popular Suminagashi variety can stay within heights of 10 to 15 feet if properly pruned (though it can also grow up to 40 feet tall!).
Japanese maple trees add something special to your home yard or landscape, whether you prefer crimson reds, warm sunset hues, or a soothing waterfall of green colors.
So, come by and see them up close at Payless Hardware, Rockery, and Nursery, our multi-acre nursery and garden center located in San Jose, California.
