Japanese Maple 'Inaba-shidare'
Acer palmatum var. dissectum 'Inaba-shidare'
A Cascade of Deep Purple-Red
'Inaba-shidare' is one of the finest and most dependable weeping Japanese maples. It forms a graceful, spreading mound of lacy, deep purple-red foliage that tumbles softly towards the ground. Whether planted in a border, beside a pond, in a Japanese-style garden or in a handsome patio pot, it brings a touch of elegance and drama to any setting.
Why Choose 'Inaba-shidare'?
- Outstanding colour: its deep purple-red leaves are among the richest of all the weeping maples, and they hold their colour well through summer.
- Vigorous and reliable: it is a little stronger-growing than many dissected maples, making it a dependable choice for beginners.
- Graceful form: the arching, weeping branches create a soft, flowing shape that looks beautiful all year round.
- Brilliant autumn colour: the foliage turns bright crimson-red before it falls.
- Award-winning: it holds the Royal Horticultural Society's Award of Garden Merit for its excellent garden performance.
Appearance
'Inaba-shidare' has large, finely dissected leaves, each divided into long, feathery lobes that give the plant a delicate, lace-like texture. In spring the new leaves emerge a glowing red, deepening to a rich purple-red through summer. In autumn they turn a brilliant crimson, making a striking display.
Its slender, purplish stems arch gracefully downwards, so even in winter, when the leaves have fallen, the plant has a lovely sculptural outline. Small reddish flowers appear in spring, followed by winged seeds, though the foliage is very much the star.
Size and Growth
This is a slow to moderately growing deciduous shrub. It typically reaches around 1.5–2m tall and 2–3m wide after 10–20 years, forming a broad, spreading dome that is wider than it is tall. Its manageable size makes it ideal for small and medium gardens.
Where to Plant
Like all Japanese maples, 'Inaba-shidare' does best in the right spot:
- Light: sun or dappled shade. It tolerates sun better than many red maples, and good light brings out the deepest colour, though some shelter from hot afternoon sun is helpful.
- Shelter: choose a position protected from cold, drying winds and late spring frosts, which can damage the tender young 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 the roots cool.
Tip: sprinkling mycorrhizal fungi around the roots at planting helps your maple establish more quickly.
Growing in Containers
'Inaba-shidare' makes a superb container plant, and its weeping branches look especially attractive spilling over the edge of a tall pot. 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, and raise the pot on feet so excess water can drain away.
Container plants dry out more quickly, so water regularly, especially in summer. Repot or top-dress with fresh compost every couple of years in spring. During 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 is prone to scorching.
- Mulching: top up the mulch each spring to keep the roots cool and moist.
Pruning
'Inaba-shidare' needs very little pruning, as its natural weeping shape is part of its beauty. If needed, prune in late autumn to midwinter (November to January) when the plant is fully dormant, as cutting at other times can cause the stems to bleed sap.
Remove any dead, damaged or crossing branches, and lightly thin congested growth from the centre to reveal the attractive branch structure. You can also lift the lower branches slightly if they are trailing on the ground. Avoid cutting back hard.
Plant 'Inaba-shidare' in a sheltered spot, give it a little care while it settles in, and it will reward you with a beautiful waterfall of rich colour for years to come.
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£49.99 |