Most of the Japanese maples available from us belong to the varieties that are used to a cold climate, tolerate frost and survive our winter well. We explain how to get sensitive young plants and potted maple trees over the winter.
Can Japanese maple tolerate frost?
Japanese maple generally tolerates frost well because the plants come from cold mountainous regions of Japan. Only young maples and potted maples require winter protection, such as mulching, wrapping with jute or fleece, and protected locations.
Can Japanese maple tolerate frost?
Most types of Japanese maple arehardy in our latitudesThis has to do with the fact that the plants are relatively small where they come from, namely the mountainous regions of Japan are used to harsh climatic conditions with cold winters: frost is therefore not a problem. So Japanese maple can overwinter in the garden without any major problems and brings a nice splash of color to the bed until late autumn.
Is winter protection necessary for Japanese maple in the garden?
Specimens planted in the garden needprotection from frostif they are young plants. Winter protection is urgently needed, especially in the year in which the Japanese maple was planted. Winter protection can be designed very easily:
- mulch the earth
- wrap the trunk with jute
- apply a thick layer of leaves or straw in the root area
- after the leaves are lost, protect the treetop with a fleece
Older planted specimens do not require any special frost protection.
How can you protect maple in a pot from frost?
Japanese maple, especially cultivated in pots, should be protected from frost in winter. The following points should be noted:
- place the bucket in aprotected from the wind and as bright as possible place (for example on the wall of the house or under a balcony roof)
- abase made of Styrofoam or alternatively use wood
- mulch the earth
- Wrap the planter with fleece (€7.00 on Amazon) or brushwood
If you have a cool basement room available, you can also overwinter the Acer japonicum there - but the room must not be too dark.
Can Japanese maple overwinter indoors?
No, heated rooms aretoo warm for the potted plants to overwinter in a frost-proof and species-appropriate manner. In addition, the Japanese maple loses its leaves and then looks anything but beautiful in the living room. Overwintering in a sheltered place outdoors is definitely the best solution.
Do the plants also need to be watered in winter?
Japanese maple needs to be watered regularly, even in winter. This is how to properly care for it in winter:
- only water on frost-free days
- only water when the top layer of soil is dry
- Avoid waterlogging at all costs
Fertilizing is not necessary from August until March.
Tip
Be careful of late frost in spring
Even in spring and into May, ground frost or night frost can occasionally occur. Maple plants that have already formed their first shoots still need to be protected from frost damage. The best way to do this is to tie a light fleece around the shoots. As in winter, you should only water on frost-free days.
