The climatic conditions of our country allow us to grow a huge variety of trees. In addition, experienced gardeners got the hand to breed new plants brought over thousands of kilometers, which are distinguished by their colorful and sophisticated. One of such foreign representatives was Japanese maple.
Japanese maples
We are accustomed to seeing in the parks and forests of Norway maple - a typical example of perennial vegetation of European latitudes. The description of such a tree as the Japanese maple, is somewhat different from the usual spider. Here the name speaks for itself, the plant really comes from the Land of the Rising Sun. 
In their natural environment, they are shrubs, semi-shrubs or small trees that reach no more than ten meters in height. Shrub gained its popularity thanks to the crown of an unusual red-gray or orange-gray shadebut. Due to the bright color of the plant is well poured into the garden and park area, making it beautiful at any time of the year, and not only in the fall.
Despite the compactness of the bush, its leaves are large enough, palmate at the edges. A special attraction adds another bark of the bush, which has a nice gray color, smooth and does not crack, like other trees.
Did you know? Japanese maple is still found on the territory of the Russian Federation - in the Sakhalin region, but extremely rare. For this reason, the plant is listed in the Red Book of Russia.
The flowering guest from Japan looks very nice. The inflorescences are bright, have a purple-red color. They appear in April.
The plant due to its "design" looks spectacular, even in winter. 
Popular species and varieties
Under the term "Japanese maple" usually refer to three types of wood: fan, Shirasawa and directly Japanese. Their differences are not so significant, but they are extremely important for choosing the "right" plant in gardening.
The legendary fan, or palm-shaped maple got its name due to the special structure of the leaves, which can be the "highlight" of any park. It has the shape of an open palm or a lacy fan and becomes bright scarlet in June. The height of the palmate tree does not exceed two meters. 
This species includes many plant varieties, but The following have become the most popular:
- 'Garnet';
- 'Atropurpureum';
- 'Aconitifolium';
- 'Bloodgood';
- 'Nicholsonii';
- 'Orange Dream'.
Did you know? Variety `Bloodgood` due to the blueberry leaf color is considered the most expensive among all species, its price starts from 2 thousand dollars per copy.
Not the most common, but attracting admiring glances Shirasawa Maple has a huge range of colors: from bright yellow to maroon-red. Unlike other ornamental species, it can grow large enough: up to 15 m high and with a trunk up to 60 cm in diameter. 
Japanese maple and its variety 'Dissectum Nigrum' are very popular, the black and red foliage of which harmonizes remarkably with the green lawns of many landscapes. 
Competent selection of seedlings
Since the plant is quite expensive, then the choice of seedlings should be approached carefully. Decide on the Japanese maple variety: if you have a large growing area, then you can safely stop at large trees (for example, Shirasawa maple), in the case of a limited area it is better to buy shrubs.
Seedling recommended to buy in a container, as in this case, planting and further care of the Japanese maple will be easier and safer. In addition, the probability that the tree will take root, is higher, since it will be in the “native” soil and its root system will not suffer during the landing.
Important! A plant seedling should be “young”; an tree up to a year is ideal for planting.
Buying maple stands in a special store. It should have a fresh healthy appearance, without slack leaves or any kind of damage.
Where to plant
Many people are afraid to acquire a representative of the Japanese flora, considering this plant to be capricious and unsuitable for our latitudes. This is not true. Growing Japanese red maple at home is possible, but there are still some nuances when choosing a place to plant. 
First, you should choose a location where the soil will be sufficiently hydrated. On the other hand, make sure that there is not a large amount of stagnant moisture, the plant does not like it.
Secondly, best of all your handsome will feel in cozy and sheltered place. Draft, he is not particularly afraid, but still in a quiet corner will grow much faster.
There are no special requirements for lighting. Of course, it is better not to land in a completely dark place. Remember that for the natural processes of photosynthesis is very necessary light. In addition to this, the varied color of maple in the sun will play brighter.
And finally, do not forget about the "neighbors" of this beautiful plant. Do not recommend to plant near other large trees. This will "steal" the light from the maple, and the site will be overloaded, the maple will be lost between the big branches. In addition, the crown should have enough space for growth and development. The best option would be the flowers next to the Japanese maple. Chrysanthemums, violets and gladioli look good. 
Landing rules
Planting Japanese maple is an easy process, so there should be no particular difficulties. The main thing is to provide the tree with good conditions, as close as possible to its native latitudes.
We advise you to read about the beneficial properties and the use of maple and maple sap.
Soil preparation
As noted earlier, maple loves moisturebut not "standing water". That is why experienced gardeners advise to take care of drainage for its root system (small stones, screenings). Watering the seedling is often, but not too plentiful.
Almost any soil is suitable; for trees, high humus content is natural. The only exception is too alkaline earth. The soil must be fertile. When disembarking it is recommended to feed.
Scheme and technology
The technology of growing a tree is simple. It includes two stages, in the case of growing Japanese maple from seeds. 
Seeds are germinated in a standard way, like ordinary seedlings. They are soaked for 2-3 hours. After that, choose a container with a diameter of 10-15 cm and a height of 10-20 cm. Make small holes in the ground, spread the seeds separately from each other to a depth of 4-5 cm and sprinkle with a layer of soil. Then slightly moisten the soil and put in a warm place where there is no direct sunlight. For the greenhouse effect, it is better to cover the container with glass and let the seedlings "breathe" once a day.
When the maple grows and leaves begin to appear on it, it can be planted in a permanent place.
The scheme is as follows:
- A pit is made up to a depth of 30 cm.
- Sand and drainage (4-5 cm thick) are laid out on the bottom of the depression.
- Moisturized soil.
- The tree is carefully removed from the container and placed in a hole.
- Sprinkled with earth mixed with peat.
- Water the seedling and spray the leaves with a little water.
After some time it will be possible to reproduce the maple with fresh seeds. Vegetative reproduction is almost never practiced, since it is ineffective.
Features care for the Japanese maple
Care for the Japanese red maple is important. It includes regular watering, dressing and, if desired, the creation of a crown shape - cutting the branches in the first years of the plant’s life.
Learn more about growing different types of maple on the site: Tatar, ash-leaved (Flamingo varieties).
Soil care and watering
The frequency and need for watering depends on the climatic conditions of the territory, the moisture content of the soil itself. On average it is worth watering the soil in a day or two, making sure that there is enough water. In the hot season, maple usually requires not only more abundant watering, but also spraying its foliage. In the rainy season, additional moisture should not be given. If the tree is deprived of attention, the leaves may begin to dry or fall off completely.
In the spring and autumn they still produce mulching of the soil. It consists in sprinkling the soil around the tree with bark. This protects against drying out of the root system in summer and freezing in winter.
Top dressing
Fertilizer used to apply in the spring with a frequency of once a month. The complex mixture for dressing is laid out around a tree trunk or poured into a layer of 5 cm of fresh compost in small loosening.
Important! Strong fertilizers with a high nitrogen content cannot be used.
Last lasting fertilizer is applied in the first half of July. 
Wintering plants
Japanese maple is an extremely thermophilic plant, which is why winter time is stressful enough for it. To protect the bush from freezing, worth doing a set of actions:
- in late autumn, lay out a layer of mulch 10–13 cm thick around the root system;
- at low temperatures, it is better to warm the trunk with a spruce conifer;
- spring frozen branches removed.
If you follow all the rules, your plant will spend the winter very well.
Application in landscape design
Although this foreign plant is not a cheap pleasure, it is very beautiful, so it is widely used in landscape design. Recently, a new fashionable idea has appeared among tree lovers - a small Japanese garden. The whole "salt" is that Japanese maple trees of various varieties are planted along the avenues, thus arranging a gradation of color from golden to blueberry. Such is a small paradise for perfectionism and aesthetics. 
The tree looks wonderful next to ornamental grasses, as well as ponds and natural stone, fits well into the landscape of a park or garden. Low-growing varieties of maple can be grown in containers as an ordinary home plant, and in the warm season to make on the terrace, making it bright and colorful. The breathtaking landscape can decorate any place all year round. Plant it and enjoy the view!
