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Have you thought about purchasing a Japanese Maple to enhance your garden? The Japanese Maples (Acer palmatum) at our tree nursery in West Sussex are continuing to transform our nursery into a stunning array of colour and foliage. Japanese Maples are deciduous trees and are renowned for their delicate foliage and graceful growing habit. They provide a superb addition to any garden adding elegance and beautiful spring, summer and autumn colours. They are an ideal choice for any garden, and if space is at a premium, they can grow very successfully in pots. For a premium growth of our Japanese Maple we would suggest keeping it in a sheltered area where it would grow best, this is due to their delicate foliage. Red and purple varieties require some sun to fully develop their rich dark colours. Variegated varieties should have partial shade to prevent the strong afternoon sunshine scorching their foliage. Green-leaved varieties are more tolerant of full sun, but again it is best to keep them in semi-shade to help avoid scorching their foliage. We have an extensive range of Japanese Maples in stock, and if you are considering planting one, here are five you may like to consider: – Acer palmatum ‘Dissectum’ Acer palmatum ‘Dissectum’ is a low-growing tree with a mound forming head. Its deep cut green leaves emerge in the spring along with its red-purple flowers. During the autumn, its foliage turns various shades of yellow, orange and red along with bright red fruits. Acer palmatum ‘Dissectum’ should be planted in partial shade in a sheltered position.  It has an eventual height and spread of approximately 1-2.5m. Acer palmatum ‘Orange Dream’ Acer palmatum ‘Orange Dream’ is a medium sized, bushy Japanese Maple with an upright growth habit. Its golden yellow foliage emerges in spring, which turns yellow\green during the summer months. During the autumn, it will turn a spectacular orange\gold. Its reddish-purple flowers may be followed by red fruits. Acer palmatum ‘Orange Dream’ has an eventual height of 5m. Acer palmatum dissectum ‘Orangeola’ Acer palmatum dissectum ‘Orangeola’ is a small Japanese Maple with a graceful, spreading habit. It produces orange\red foliage in the spring, which turns a bronze-red during the summer months, before turning a deep, fiery orange in the autumn. Tiny, reddish-purple flowers appear in spring, which are followed by red-flushed green fruits in the summer. Acer palmatum dissectum ‘Orangeola’ prefers a sheltered position, and has an eventual height of 2 -2.5m and spread of 1 -1.5m. Acer palmatum ‘Sango-kaku’ Acer palmatum ‘Sango-kaku’ is one of the larger specimens of Japanese Maples, as it can grow to between 4-8m with a spread of 2.5-4m. This variety can be grown as a shrub or small tree. Its coral red young branches are very prominent during the winter months, giving some much-needed colour. The five-lobed leaves open a pinkish-yellow in the spring, turning green during the summer, before turning yellow in the autumn. Acer palmatum ‘Sango-kaku’ produces small, reddish flowers. Acer palmatum ‘Skeeter’s Broom’ Acer palmatum ‘Skeeter’s Broom’ is a slow growing Japanese maple, with an upright, compact growth habit. Its deeply lobed leaves are maroon red during the spring and summer months, before turning a bright red in the autumn. Acer palmatum ‘Skeeter’s Broom’ can tolerate being planted in full sun, but aware of the afternoon sunshine. It has an eventual height of 2.5m. Japanese Maples are an excellent choice due to their stunning colours, and attractive, delicate foliage. Come and visit Arundel Arboretum, where our knowledgeable staff will be able to assist in choosing the right one for you and your garden.

If you are considering a Japanese maple for your garden, now is an ideal time to purchase as you can see its autumn colours and planting now will give it time to establish over the winter months. Japanese maples (Acer palmatum) come into their own in the autumn, when their foliage turns breathtaking shades of fiery red, vibrant orange and yellow. They’re versatile in that they can be planted in beds and borders. Many Japanese maples are slow growing and compact. They can be grown successfully in pots, making them an excellent choice for small gardens. Japanese maples are vulnerable to wind, frost and strong sunlight, and this should be taken into consideration when planning on where to plant it. Some varieties do need sunlight in order to enhance their colours, but direct sunlight can scorch their delicate foliage, so it is wise to plant them in a sheltered position. We have one of the largest selections of Japanese maples in the area, and to get you started, here are 5 you could consider:- Acer palmatum ‘Sumi Nagashi’ Acer palmatum ‘Sumi Nagashi’ is a small, deciduous Japanese maple. Its bright red spring foliage deepens to purple-red in the summer, turning crimson in the autumn. This Japanese maple should be planted in moist, well-drained soil, using ericaceous compost. Acer palmatum ‘Sumi Nagashi’ has an eventual height of 4m and a spread of 3m. Acer palmatum dissectum ‘Viridis’ Acer palmatum dissectum ‘Viridis’ is a small, deciduous Japanese maple with a moulding growth habit. Its deeply cut, bright green leaves turn bright yellow and orange in the autumn, with small, reddish flowers appear in spring. This Japanese maple should be planted in a sheltered position using ericaceous compost. It can withstand full sun and partial shade. Acer palmatum dissectum ‘Viridis’ has an eventual height and spread of 1.5-2m. Acer palmatum ‘Osakazuki’ Acer palmatum ‘Osakazuki’ is a large, deciduous Japanese maple, with a round growth habit. Its large, seven-lobed bright green leaves turn a brilliant orange-scarlet in the autumn. This Japanese maple produces small red flowers and fruits. This is a hardy plant and can withstand being planted in full sun or in a sheltered position. It has an approximate eventual height and spread of 2.5-4m. Acer palmatum ‘Sango-kaku’ Acer palmatum ‘Sango-kaku’ is a large, deciduous Japanese maple. It can be grown as a shrub or small tree. Its attractive coral-red young branches are very prominent during the winter months. It has five-lobed leaves open pinkish-yellow in the spring, turning green during the summer, before turning a soft yellow in the autumn and produces small reddish flowers. This Japanese maple can withstand full sun or partial shade in a sheltered position and should be planted in a moist, well-drained soil. It has an eventual height of 4-8m and a spread of 2.5-4m. Acer palmatum dissectum ‘Seiryu’ Acer palmatum dissectum ‘Seiryu’ is a medium-sized, deciduous Japanese maple with an upright growth habit. Its bright green leaves have finely cut lobes that are tinged red when young. They turn a stunning yellow/orange/crimson in the autumn. This Japanese maple should be planted in a sheltered position out of direct sunlight and wind, in a moist, well-drained soil. Acer palmatum dissectum ‘Seiryu’ has an eventual height and spread of approximately 3m. We would love to show you our extensive range of Japanese maples and we look forward to welcoming you to Arundel Arboretum, where our knowledgeable staff will be very happy to help you choose the right Japanese maple for you.