Japanese Maple 'Sumi-nagashi'
Acer palmatum 'Sumi-nagashi'
A Rich Burgundy Maple with Year-Round Appeal
'Sumi-nagashi' is a handsome upright Japanese maple, prized for its deeply cut, rich burgundy-purple leaves and graceful, vase-shaped outline. Its name comes from the traditional Japanese art of marbling paper with floating ink, a fitting nod to the plant's dark, flowing colour. It makes a superb specimen tree for a lawn or border, adds depth to a mixed planting scheme and brings a touch of Japanese elegance to any garden.
Why Choose 'Sumi-nagashi'?
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Deep, lasting colour: its dark purple-red leaves hold their colour well through summer, where many red maples fade to bronze or green.
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Elegant shape: it grows into an attractive, upright small tree with an open, spreading crown.
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Fiery autumn display: the foliage turns a brilliant crimson-red before it falls.
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Garden-friendly size: slow to moderate growth keeps it in scale with most gardens for many years.
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Versatile: it looks equally good as a lawn specimen, in a mixed border, in a woodland-style planting or in a large pot while young.
Appearance
'Sumi-nagashi' has large, star-shaped leaves, each deeply divided into seven long, slender, pointed lobes. The leaves open a bright, glowing red in spring and quickly deepen to a rich burgundy-purple that lasts through summer. In autumn they turn a vivid crimson, making a spectacular show.
Its young stems are a reddish-purple, and the branches form a graceful, layered framework. Even in winter, when the leaves have fallen, the tree has an attractive 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 deciduous, upright maple that grows at a slow to moderate pace. It typically reaches around 4–5m tall and a similar width after 20 years or more, gradually forming a small, rounded tree. In its early years it grows as a bushy shrub, developing its tree-like shape as it matures.
Where to Plant
Like all Japanese maples, 'Sumi-nagashi' does best in the right spot:
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Light: sun or dappled shade. Good light brings out the deepest foliage colour, though some shelter from hot afternoon sun helps prevent leaf scorch.
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Shelter: choose a position protected from cold, drying winds and late spring frosts, which can damage the tender young leaves.
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Soil: moist but well-drained, humus-rich soil that is neutral to slightly acidic. Avoid heavy, waterlogged ground and very dry, sandy soil.
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Space: allow room for it to spread, and plant it a few metres away from buildings and other trees so its natural shape can develop.
Planting Guide
When to plant
Autumn is the ideal time, while the soil is still warm. 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
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Dig a hole about twice the width of the pot and the same depth.
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Mix plenty of well-rotted organic matter, such as leaf mould or garden compost, into the soil you've removed.
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Gently tease out any circling roots and place the plant in the hole at the same depth it was growing in its pot.
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For taller plants, drive a short stake into the hole before planting and secure the stem with a soft tree tie to keep it steady while the roots establish.
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Backfill, firm the soil gently and water thoroughly.
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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
'Sumi-nagashi' can be grown in a large container for many years, making a striking feature on a patio or terrace. Choose a sturdy pot at least 50cm wide with good drainage holes, and move it into a bigger container every few years as it grows. It will eventually do best planted out in the ground.
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. Top-dress with fresh compost each 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
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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.
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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.
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Mulching: top up the mulch each spring to keep the roots cool and moist.
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Staking: if staked, check ties regularly and loosen them as the stem thickens. The stake can usually be removed after two or three years.
Pruning
'Sumi-nagashi' needs very little pruning, as it naturally forms a pleasing shape. If needed, prune in late autumn to midwinter (November to January) when the tree 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 to open up the crown and show off the layered branch structure. As the tree matures, you can remove a few of the lowest branches to lift the canopy and create a clear stem, if you'd like a more tree-like look. Avoid cutting back hard.
Plant 'Sumi-nagashi' in a sheltered spot, give it a little care while it settles in, and it will grow into a graceful small tree with rich burgundy colour and a glorious autumn finale for many years to come.
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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£24.49 |