Japanese Maple 'Garnet'
(Acer palmatum var. dissectum 'Garnet')
A Jewel for Any Garden
With its cascading mound of lacy, deep red foliage, Acer palmatum 'Garnet' is one of the most admired Japanese maples. It forms a graceful, weeping dome that looks lovely from spring to autumn. It makes a stunning focal point in a border, a patio pot or a Japanese-style garden, and it stays compact enough for even small spaces.
Why Choose 'Garnet'?
- Rich colour: the deep garnet-red leaves hold their colour well through summer, where many red maples fade to green.
- Elegant shape: its weeping, mounded habit gives year-round structure, even when the branches are bare in winter.
- Compact size: slow-growing and low, it suits small gardens, courtyards and containers.
- Spectacular autumn show: the foliage turns glowing shades of red and orange before it falls.
- Award-winning: it holds the Royal Horticultural Society's Award of Garden Merit for its reliable performance in UK gardens.
Appearance
'Garnet' is grown for its exquisite, finely cut leaves. Each one is divided into feathery, fern-like lobes, giving the plant a soft, delicate look. New leaves open in spring a vivid red, deepen to a rich garnet-purple through summer, and then light up in fiery red and orange tones in autumn.
In winter, its twisting, arching branches create an attractive sculptural outline, especially when dusted with frost. Small reddish flowers appear in spring, followed by winged seeds, though these are modest compared with the foliage.
Size and Growth
This is a slow-growing, deciduous shrub. It typically reaches around 1.5–2m tall and 2–3m wide after 10–20 years, growing wider than it is tall. Its slow pace means it needs very little pruning to stay in shape.
Where to Plant
Japanese maples do best when given a little thought about their position:
- Light: sun or dappled shade. The red colour is richest with good light, but shelter from hot afternoon sun helps prevent leaf scorch.
- Shelter: choose a spot protected from cold, drying winds and late spring frosts, which can damage the tender new leaves.
- Soil: moist but well-drained, humus-rich soil that is neutral to slightly acidic. Avoid heavy, waterlogged ground and very dry, sandy soil.
Planting Guide
When to plant
Pot-grown plants can be planted at any time of year, provided the ground isn't frozen or waterlogged. Water extra well if planting in summer.
How to plant
- Dig a hole about twice the width of the pot and the same depth.
- Mix plenty of well-rotted organic matter, such as leaf mould or garden compost, into the soil you've removed.
- Gently tease out any circling roots and place the plant in the hole at the same depth it was growing in its pot.
- Backfill, firm the soil gently and water thoroughly.
- Mulch around the base with bark or leaf mould, keeping it clear of the stem, to hold in moisture and keep roots cool.
Tip: sprinkling mycorrhizal fungi around the roots at planting helps your maple establish more quickly.
Growing in Containers
'Garnet' is an excellent choice for pots and will live happily in one for many years. Choose a container at least 45cm wide with good drainage holes. Use a loam-based compost, such as John Innes No. 3, mixed with some ericaceous compost. Raise the pot on feet to stop water collecting underneath.
Container plants need regular watering, especially in summer, as they dry out more quickly. Repot or top-dress with fresh compost every couple of years in spring. In very cold spells, move the pot to a sheltered spot or wrap it in hessian or bubble wrap to protect the roots.
Aftercare
- Watering: keep the soil moist, particularly in the first couple of years and during dry spells. Rainwater is best if you have hard tap water.
- Feeding: give a light feed in spring with a slow-release or ericaceous fertiliser. Avoid overfeeding, which can encourage soft growth that scorches easily.
- Mulching: top up the mulch each spring to keep the roots cool and moist.
Pruning
'Garnet' needs very little pruning. Its natural shape is part of its charm. If needed, prune in late autumn to midwinter (November to January) when the plant is fully dormant, as cutting at other times can make the stems bleed sap.
Simply remove any dead, damaged or crossing branches, and thin out a little congested growth from the inside to show off the lovely branch structure. Avoid cutting back hard.
Buying Japanese Acers from Jacksons Nurseries
Unlike many garden centres, supermarkets and some nurseries here at Jacksons Nurseries we sell the majority of our stock all year round. Our stock is for the most part grown outdoors making it far hardier than those grown under glass and/or only sold ‘In Season’.
Here at Jacksons Nurseries we would favour a hardy outdoor grown plant every time. They are far less likely to suffer from the shock of being planted in colder conditions and they will begin to establish more rapidly the following spring. This can mean that they don’t look like a ‘picture perfect’ plant when purchased out of season but with the correct care and a little time you’ll have a wonderful plant to enjoy for many years to come.
Availability: Stock availability figures are provided as a guide only. There is a delay between orders being placed and the plants being gathered by our pulling team. During this time it may be possible for a member of the public to purchase these plants from our Garden Centre, while this is rare it is a possibility and we will notify you of any problems as soon as possible. This figure may also include plants that have not yet be flagged as unsaleable.
Pre-order: Pre-order times are given as a guide only and may vary dependent on the growing season. Orders containing Pre-ordered products will be shipped as a single order when all items become available. Large orders may be part shipped, please contact us on 01782 502741 or email sales@jacksonsnurseries.co.uk.
Grafting & Leaf Reversion
The main purpose of grafting ornamental plants and trees is to combine features of one variety with the more vigorous or resilient root stock of another. Grafting of Japanese Acers also has the added benefit of controlling the height of the tree depending on where the graft has been made.
When a Japanese Acer has been grafted some leaf reversion may take place or incorrect growth from the grafted base. If this occurs, pinch or prune out the incorrect stems once the leaves have fully unfurled.
Cultivation & Pruning
The 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.
Positioning your Japanese Acer will depend on the variety but most will grow best in a sheltered position. Green-leaved trees will tolerate full sun but some shade in the brightest of conditions will help prevent scorch. Red/Purple leaved trees will need some sun to help their develop their rich colours while variegated leaved trees are more suited to partial shade as they are more susceptible to scorch from the afternoon sun.
Mulch your Japanese Acer every other year with well-rotted garden compost or manure. During early establishment ensure that mulch does not come into contact with the collar.
Japanese Acer have shallow fibrous roots and are ideal plants for growing in containers. Ensure good drainage and do not over water. Feed in spring and early summer with a slow release fertiliser or a liquid feed. Try to avoid potting your Acers in overly large pots, start out with a pot approximately 5-8cm/2-3in larger than the pot it was in when purchased and re-pot by the same increase every couple of years, ideally in April or September.
Pot grown Acers are particularly vulnerable to winter frosts. Wrap your containers with fleece or bubble wrap.
Japanese Acers require very little pruning, allowing your tree to grow naturally will be the best way to produce a graceful shaped specimen. You may however wish to prune badly positioned or crossing shoots to encourage a better form, in this case pruning is best done when the tree is fully dormant usually from November to February, pruning outside of this window may result in a weakened tree.
Potential Problems
Japanese Acer are very prone to leaf scorch in both windy or excessively sunny positions. Red/Purple leaved varieties with green leaves or poor autumn colour may indicate insufficient light levels.
Horse chestnut scale and other scale insect damage can be a problem as can verticillium wilt. Pot grown trees can also be a target for vine weevils.
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