Alan Titchmarsh names one tree every garden should have that looks 'stupendous' in autumn
The nation's favourite gardening expert says that one tree will thrive in gardens big or small – and will be particularly attractive at this time of year
If you’re thinking of buying a tree for your garden, whether it’s large or small, a Japanese Maple has to be one of your first choices, says Alan Titchmarsh: “At this time of year in particular,” he says, “their autumn colour is stupendous.”
The Gardeners’ World expert says that the versatile and colourful tree is ideal for those of us with small, urban gardens: “I have never met anybody who doesn’t like Japanese maples…they're so obliging and they will fit in the smallest of gardens because they don't grow terribly large.”
While some varieties of Japanese Maple can reach up to 30ft in height, dwarf strains will stop growing at just three feet – making them perfect for siting in a planter in a small patio garden.
At this time of year, Japanese Maples are at their best, with foliage erupting into deep, fiery reds and yellows. On his gardening YouTube channel, Alan explains: “The colder weather starts those sugars in the leaf forming and turning them a lovely reddish colour.
“And when you look at the stems, they’re always described as coral red. When the leaves are fallen, as they do on all Japanese maples, the stems are revealed and they give you colour right the way through the winter.”
The Japanese Maple isn’t particularly a fast-growing tree, increasing in size by around six to 12 inches every year on average, with some slower-growing varieties gaining only a few inches annually.
Another piece of good news for gardeners working in a tight space is that the tree’s roots are minimally invasive, and shouldn’t cause too much damage with nearby walls or underground pipes.
They’re not keen on sharp frosts, but other than that, Japanese Maples are comparatively easy to look after: “Provided Japanese maples are sheltered from scorching sunlight and drying winds, they have few problems,” Alan says.
However, he adds, you will sometimes see the off branch dying back: “We don't always know why,” he says, “but keep your eyes open when you see little stems which have died.
“Snip them off as soon as you see them to avoid that dieback going further down the stem. Then you will usually arrest it.”
You can plant a Japanese Maple at almost any time of year, although it is generally considered advisable to plant them during the dormant season or in early spring or autumn to allow for the best chance of growth and establishment.
Alan advises picking a spot with dappled shade and, while you should give the tree a good soak immediately after planting, avoid overwatering.
Small examples will “happily live four or five years” in a container before they need repotting, he says, and with care a Japanese Maple trees can live for several decades – some well-maintained specimens have been known to survive for over a century.