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Palmatum Osakazuki

JimtheslimJimtheslim Posts: 17
in Plants

Hello everyone,

I am interested in purchasing a Japanese Maple Palmatum Osakazuki. I was wondering if these can be planted or potted under weed-proof membranes covered with bark?

I am currently transforming my garden which is terrible for weeds as it is quite heavy with clay (I can't simply pull them). So I am covering a lot of the raised beds and borders in membrane and bark chip. I was wondering if an acer of this variety would grow well under this or if there is any reason it wouldn't?

Thanks

Posts

  • Ladybird4Ladybird4 Posts: 36,196

    There should be no problem at all Jim. Go for it. I have Osakazuki in my garden - plus some of its babies which are totally different to their parent - and it is just starting to take on its glorious Autumn colouring. Luckily I do not need the membrane. I would, however. make sure that the bark chip mulch does not come into contact with the tree trunk as it can sometimes cause problems.

    Cacoethes: An irresistible urge to do something inadvisable
  • JimtheslimJimtheslim Posts: 17

    Ok thanks. I didn't think it would be too much of a problem as long as it gets plenty of water. I just couldn't find an answer to this specific question anywhere. Everything I read say they are hardy enough as long as they don't get too much summer sun? I would probably start it in a pot and then think about planting it depending on how well it gets on. The front bed where I was considering is pretty open and SW facing, meaning it bore the brunt of the SW storms we had last winter. I'm guessing it would need to be a decent size before it could stand up to those kinds of conditions?

    A neighbour round the corner has one about 6ft tall and I don't know how I have overlooked it until now, it's incredible in autumn!

  • Ladybird4Ladybird4 Posts: 36,196

    The weed suppressing membrane is permeable so rain gets through easily.

    Cacoethes: An irresistible urge to do something inadvisable
  • AuntyRachAuntyRach Posts: 4,986

    Good choice of plant - love them. They prefer dappled shade and ideally a sheltered spot - they do not enjoy wind and may scorch in direct sun. I do have a lovely red variety which was in my garden when I moved in and it is really in the wrong conditions as it is south-facing and prominent in the border - however it is fairly mature and has coped well with all weathers. If you are going for a pot - ensure it is very well-drained as they do not like soggy roots. Once it is mature enough to transplant - do this in the  spring time. 

    Last edited: 24 October 2016 19:55:22

    My garden and I live in South Wales. 
  • JimtheslimJimtheslim Posts: 17

    Indeed, the problem I have is that I don't really have anywhere that would provide dappled sun light (unless I started pulling out some of the most mature shrubs in the southern most corner of the garden). I'd like to think the two storms we had last year were a bit of a one-off, but understand they may well not be. The problem would be the height of summer in which it would be in full sun from about midday til sunset. 

    I have a nice Fatsia which is doing very nicely in a sheltered North East facing corner of my patio. Maybe if I have one in a pot it would be a good spot, although it would get almost no sun light in winter

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