Japanese Maples
alexisf
Posts: 9
Hi! I'm new to the forum and would appreciate some advice.
I'm designing a Japanese garden and these are the types of acers I am planting.
Bog standard Acer palmatum Green
Acer Palmatum Osakazuki
Acer Palmatum Going Green
Acer Palmatum Aoyagi
Acer Shirasawanum 'Jordan'
Acer Palmatum Orange Dream.
Acer Palmatum Taylor
Can anyone tell me the height in descending order these will reach please? Such varying advice on the net.
I made a mistake once before planting an Acer in the front of the garden that overtook everything else and basically blocked the whole eyeline.
Don't want to make that mistake again!
Any advice will be gladly received.
Oh and anything else to make a Japanese garden special.
Thank you.
0
Posts
My Osakazuki is 9 years old and has reached a height of 3 metres and has a spread of 2 metres from a sapling of about 1 metre. Soil is lightish and slightly acidic, gets a bucket of compost around it most years. Grows below pine trees in dappled shade.
Thank you Nutcracker
I believe they have outstanding Autumn colouring but are mostly green for the rest of the season.
I adore the green varieties of Acers. A lot of people prefer the reds but I am looking to achieve a tranquil atmosphere, so varying hues on the green spectrum it is for me.
I'm not brave enough to do battle with a bag of manure.
I'm fairly new to gardening. Baby steps
They'll have to be content with something relatively tame smelling that comes in a pretty box with the word ericaceous somewhere on it!
If you check out your local garden centre you will find composted manure. It doesn't smell!
It contains the nutrients without the downsides of following a horse with a bucket!
Hi Alexisf.
You have a lovely choice of acers there. Another thing that is found in Japanese gardens is a water feature of some description. The nicest ones are the ones called deer scarers where the water runs through a series of bamboo channels and at one point there is a rocking section that once filled with water tips up and makes the noise heard in bamboo wind chimes. The emptied rocking section then returns to its original position and the whole process begins again. It would need a power source to function unless you were lucky enough to have a flowing stream through your garden.
I'm always fascinated by this geometric business. It calms the scientist in me trying to figure out the best way to do it.
I hasten to add this is definitely not my garden!!!!
Exactly what I'm aiming for!
Apparently it is very soothing, the raking of gravel so I'm going to have a go myself.
It represents the illusion of water.
Isn't that lovely?
Plus it negates the need for pumps,algae busters and all the other malarkey that comes with ponds!
Confession time:-
When on holiday some years ago we did the touring thing and then the shopping thing....you know the drill. One of the shops had gimmicks and gadgets (is there such a thing as a Discovery channel store...I can't remember?) and one was a tray with coarse sand in it and little tiny rakes and stick things.
Pah! Said I. What on earth use is that?...Who'd buy that?... Whatsatabout....?
I could not pass them!!!!! Every one I came to I had to poke it and play with it. A little mini Zen garden apparently. Wish I'd bought one!
Might make one! 
When your garden looks like that , I'm moving in!!
You will be most welcome and every morning whilst I make the tea and toast you can rake to the sound of twittering birdsong and gentle wind chimes....
I can picture it now.....?
It's a deal!