Acer palmatum "Altropurpureum"

• Species: Acer palmatum — Japanese maple
• Form: “Atropurpureum” — purple-leaved
• Height here: 2–4 m, slow growing
• Leaves: palmate, 5–7 lobes; purple-red in spring, deep purple in summer, scarlet in autumn
• Position: part shade, or sun without early spring rays; sheltered from wind
• Soil: moist, humus-rich, well-drained, slightly acidic (pH 5.5–6.5)
• Dislikes: lime, standing water, dry wind
• Hardiness: zone 5 — young plants need winter protection for the first years
• Pruning: minimal, only when dormant
• Uses: specimen tree, Japanese-style garden, large container

Site. Choose the most sheltered corner: the east side of the house, shade from taller trees, a spot behind a hedge. Early spring sun thaws frosted young leaves too fast and they brown; dry wind scorches leaf edges through summer.

Planting. Dig a hole twice the width of the root ball with gravel or coarse sand at the bottom. Mix peat and leaf mould into the soil — no lime, no wood ash. Keep the root collar level with the ground, never deeper. Water well and mulch with 5–7 cm of pine bark.

Watering. The maple tolerates neither drought nor standing water. For the first two years water deeply once a week in dry spells; mulch keeps the roots cool and moist.

Feeding. In spring before the leaves open, use a fertiliser for acid-loving plants. No nitrogen in autumn, or the shoots will not ripen.

Winter. For the first 3–4 winters cover the root area with thick mulch or spruce branches and wrap the young trunk in a breathable material. Remove the cover gradually in spring so the tree does not start too early.

Pruning. Only dead and broken branches, in winter while dormant. Spring pruning causes bleeding and weakens the tree. The crown needs no shaping — it forms beautifully on its own.