Pictured: Coral Bark Maple Tree, winter and summer 

Japanese maple trees are like garden sculpture: each one has its own particular personality. With hundreds of varieties to choose from, weeping to upright, there are trees for almost any location. They can be used as specimens and focal points, or dotted throughout the landscape in an understory garden, mixed with evergreens and conifers. 

When pruning a Japanese maple, look for the “integrity” of the tree so that pruning reveals the structural essence of that tree. (This is what gives each tree a personality and sculptural form all its own.) Pruning can be done in both winter and mid-spring. When the tree is dormant, it is much easier to view the branch structure and plan the long-term shape for the tree. In spring, as the tree begins to leaf out, a light pruning can be performed to thin out extra branches and improve the overall appearance of the canopy. (Here in Zone 7B, I prefer not to prune Japanese maples in summer due to our extreme temperatures.)  

When the tree is pruned properly, some branch structure should be visible in the growing season, allowing light and air to flow through the tree. (What you don’t want, is a tree that looks like a large overgrown shrub.)

I pruned these Japanese Maple trees in the middle of winter. They were completely overgrown when I tackled them, but now the true structure and the beautiful coral-red branches can be enjoyed throughout the winter. 

Winter Treats

My two favorite colors are coral and turquoise, not necessarily in that order. It’s mid-February, and it’s just occurred to me how much “coral” you can find in the garden this time of year. (I’ll talk about turquoise another day.)

One of my favorite trees, the Coral Bark Maple, has brilliant red branches in winter, especially the ‘Beni Kawa,’ a personal favorite.

And low and behold, my favorite short-lived winter annual has arrived in the nurseries: the Primrose. This one is called Coral Rose, and it’s typical of the lovely jewel tones this annual is notable for.

Use Primrose to fill in winter garden containers where the cold might have killed off an annual or two.  These plants will carry through for another month or more, with regular watering & feeding. 

Just imagine if you could plant these daffodils, so that they came up through a bed of yellow and coral Primrose!  This Daffodil is ‘Pink Palmares.’

And if you are lucky enough to find Lenten Rose Winter Jewel Series, your late winter coral garden is perfectly aligned!