Japanese Purple Maple Tree, Acer Palmatum Atropurpureum Plant, 15-20cm Tall In a 9cm Pot 3fatpigs®

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Japanese maples that have been planted out into the garden don't require heavy fertilisation so feed sparingly ideally using a fertiliser with a 3:1 ratio of nitrogen to phosphorus in spring. Avoid using nitrogen lawn feed in the immediate vicinity as excessive nitrogen can cause overly vigorous growth that's more vulnerable to disease. In smaller trees that are more heavily infected, it is best just to remove the tree and either burn it or dispose of it safely.

Acer palmatum dissectum 'Orangeola' - a beautiful, mound-forming deciduous Acer has blazing orange red lace leaves throughout spring, turning bronze red in summer, then deep and fiery orange in autumn. Small, pendent clusters of tiny, reddish-purple flowers in spring are followed by red-flushed, green, winged fruit in summer. A beautiful Japanese Acer, eye catching and weeping - a stunning small architectural tree, ideal as a centre piece for your garden. Any rotten root matter and the surrounding soil should be removed and disposed of (not in the compost heap). Formative pruning is not required because Japanese Acers naturally form an elegant shape over time. Keep pruning to a minimum, removing only crossed, damaged and badly placed stems to create an open framework. Acers will be fine in most types of soil though will do best when there is a slight acidity in the soil. But don’t worry too much about the soil. If your Japanese Maple doesn't seem to be succeeding after a couple of years, don't be afraid to dig it up and try moving it somewhere else. Location is probably the most important factor in the success of your tree, so don't be afraid of a bit of trial and error. The best time to move a Japanese maple tree is late summer or early autumn, at least one month before the first frost. They are reasonably forgiving of disruption providing you cut a wide and deep hole and leave as much soil clinging to the roots as possible when you dig them up.Acer palmatum 'Kagiri-nishiki' - a strong but slow growing, variegated acer with beautiful bluish-green leaves which are margined in light pink tones and streaked with white. It has a dainty appearance and will make a lovely addition to any autumn garden as it adds interest in the cooler months. The leaves are quite delicate and a harsh wind can easily damage the stems and leaf tissue as they get whipped about. Affected plants start to wilt, sometimes just one section, with lower leaves becoming discoloured to yellow and brown.

Japanese Maples have a reputation for being hard to grow, but this is largely undeserved. Getting the location right is key but they are not susceptible to pests and diseases and with some basic care they will thrive. Acers with darker foliage colours (red to purple) can handle a bit more sun than the pale green and yellow varieties. Some acers can grow to well over 40 feet with a correspondingly large spread. On the face of it, acers don’t seem that suitable for small gardens. However, large acers are an exception rather than a rule and even those which grow the tallest will take decades to achieve their full height.Keep the area free of competing weeds and grass for the first couple of growing seasons. If there is snow fall, gently brush the snow from the branches to ensure it does not weigh down the framework and cause damage. Pruning Advice For Acer palmatum 'Atropurpureum' Trees Multi Stem tree: Two or more stems arising from or near ground level, growing from one root system. This is especially important if the Acer is in a pot, or in a location that receives minimal natural rainfall.

Acer palmatum dissectum 'Crimson Princess' - a deciduous Acer has an upright weeping habit, creating a mushroom like display. Finely cut, fabulous deep purple-red leaves emerge from red buds turning bronze in the summer, followed by brilliant crimson-scarlet in autumn. If your soil is heavy and prone to waterlogging, work in some grit, sand or stones to increase drainage. Acer palmatum 'Asahi Zuru' - a beautifully variegated semi-dwarf tree producing a combination of pink and white to deep green leaves (may be entirely white or pink depending on growing conditions). Produces a stunning blend of fiery oranges and reds before the leaves fall.Water to keep the compost evenly moist whenever the first inch of soil becomes dry. Always water thoroughly until a little water starts to come through the drainage holes. Any required pruning should be done between January and February during the dormancy phase to prevent sap bleeding from the cuts and weakening the tree. Always cut just above a pair of buds. Pot grown Acers are particularly vulnerable to winter frosts. Wrap your containers with fleece or bubble wrap. T he perfect conditions for growing Japanese Acer would be well drained loam, slightly acidic and sandy with a good amount of organic matter but they will grow in most soil types. Avoid overly wet, dry or alkaline conditions.