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Acer palmatum 'Summer Gold' - Japanese Maple
Overview
The Acer palmatum 'Summer Gold' is a stunning compact Japanese maple that brings year-round interest to any garden. This deciduous tree is prized for its exceptional foliage colour that transitions beautifully through the seasons, making it a favourite amongst gardeners who appreciate both form and seasonal drama.
Key Features
Foliage Colour: The star attraction of 'Summer Gold' is its remarkable leaf colour progression. New spring growth emerges in bright golden-yellow tones, gradually maturing to chartreuse-green through summer, before transforming into brilliant orange and red hues in autumn.
Size & Habit: This is a slow-growing, compact variety that typically reaches 2-3 metres in height and spread at maturity. The naturally rounded, slightly weeping habit creates an elegant silhouette that works beautifully as a specimen plant or focal point.
Leaf Shape: Features the classic palmate (hand-shaped) leaves with 5-7 pointed lobes that are characteristic of Japanese maples. The delicate foliage creates dappled shade and gentle movement in the breeze.
Growing Conditions
Position: Thrives in partial shade to dappled sunlight. Morning sun with afternoon shade is ideal, particularly in warmer regions. Avoid exposed, windy positions and harsh afternoon sun which can scorch the delicate leaves.
Soil Requirements: Prefers well-draining, slightly acidic to neutral soil (pH 6.0-7.0) that retains some moisture. Enrich heavy clay soils with organic matter, and ensure good drainage to prevent waterlogging.
Climate Tolerance: Hardy in most temperate regions, tolerating temperatures down to approximately -15°C. Benefits from shelter in very cold or windy areas.
Care & Maintenance
Watering: Requires consistent moisture, especially during dry spells and the first few years after planting. Water deeply but avoid waterlogged conditions. Mulching around the base helps retain soil moisture.
Feeding: Apply a balanced, slow-release fertiliser in early spring. A layer of well-composted organic matter around the base annually will improve soil structure and provide gentle nutrition.
Pruning: Minimal pruning required. Remove any dead, damaged, or crossing branches in late winter when dormant. Light shaping can be done if necessary, but the natural form is usually best left undisturbed.
Mulching: Apply a 5-7cm layer of organic mulch around the root zone, keeping it away from the trunk. This helps retain moisture, suppress weeds, and protect roots from temperature extremes.
Garden Uses
Specimen Planting: Makes an outstanding feature tree in lawns, courtyards, or as a focal point in mixed borders.
Container Growing: Excellent choice for large containers on patios or terraces, where its compact size and seasonal interest can be fully appreciated.
Japanese Gardens: Perfect for authentic Japanese garden designs, complementing other traditional elements like bamboo, ferns, and ornamental grasses.
Underplanting: The dappled shade beneath provides ideal conditions for hostas, ferns, hellebores, and other shade-loving perennials.
Seasonal Interest
Spring: Fresh golden-yellow new growth creates a bright, uplifting display.
Summer: Mature chartreuse foliage provides cooling green tones and attractive dappled shade.
Autumn: Spectacular transformation to vibrant orange and red tones before leaf drop.
Winter: Elegant bare branch structure adds architectural interest to the winter garden.
Planting Tips
Plant in spring or autumn when temperatures are moderate. Dig a hole twice the width of the root ball but no deeper. Position the tree at the same depth it was growing in the container. Backfill with a mixture of existing soil and compost, water thoroughly, and apply mulch. Space at least 2-3 metres from buildings and other large plants to allow for mature spread.
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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£24.99 |