Landscape & Urban Design Issue 19 2016 | Page 36

The Magic Of Maples Create a focal point in your outside space with Japanese maple. It’s the perfect choice of tree for any small, compact or courtyard garden, and the Horticultural Trades Association’s (HTA) ’Plant of the Moment’ for April. J apanese maples will put on a show throughout the year, starting as soon as foliage unfurls in spring and continuing until their autumn transformation into shades of gold and bronze before they eventually fall. Many acers are commonly called Japanese maples, but their parents could be derived from several different species including Acer japonicum, Acer palmatum, Acer shirasawanum or others. The natural shape and growing habit of their branches make Japanese maples an ideal choice of small tree for gardens or growing in large patio pots. Their leaf shapes, sizes and colours vary immensely. Many have a broad palm shape,