Acer

Hello folks.

I'm after suggestions for an Acer that will do ok in a container, be hardy enough to withstand cold wind, yet still be quite delicate looking ('cut' leaves). I've had 'Garnet' in the past, but I couldn't give it the shelter it needed when it was in leaf. It's still alive, but not a happy chappy. Any ideas?

Edit : It also needs to be able to withstand direct sunlight

Cheers...Freddy

 

Hi Freddy

I do grow acer palmatum the green and deep purple varieties , in full sun and they do get strong winds at times but they are not in a wind tunnel all the time, as they have the greenhouse at the back of them for some shelter from the winds , but they are established plants as I have said on here many times over 20 years old so are more robust.

A work colleague who is in to gardening invited me over for lunch as she had just moved house and asked me to give her some ideas and she had a acer in a pot that was struggling with the position it was next to the side of the house so the wind was constant plus drying it out much quicker than usual all the ends of the leaves where brown , I suggested she moved the pot to a more sheltered spot and the acer looks alot happier now she told me and that was 4 weeks later.

But I think the trick is to make sure they have the best treatment I can give them them over the year , never left to dry out , and fed a slow release feed in late March , they grow in a very thick glazed pot, john innes no3 with added grit NO multi-purpose as it holds to much water over the winter .

Be interesting to see what others may suggest


Spruce

 

Hiya Spruce.

'Garnet' is of that type, Acer Palmatum Dissectum.

 

yes
how big is the pot and whats the compost its growing in , and how old is it

Spruce

 

Hiya Spruce.

I don't have a clue how old it is. I bought it at a GC as a two-footer, maybe 3 years ago? As I recall, I used a mix of Ji3 and Ericaceous (50/50). I suppose the pot is around 2ft round?

 

Have you fed it ?

 

I have. Thing is, it starts into growth as normal, but pretty soon the leaves take on that scorched appearance, and the leaves drop early.

 

Do you live near the sea Freddy? I've tried a couple of times to grow Acers and they just keel over, the leaves shrivel within weeks. I think it's the salty air they don't like.

 

No, I don't. I think I'm right in saying that this type of Acer is quite delicate, and likes a sheltered spot. I knew I was taking a chance from the start.

 

Just a thought: Get a large clear plastic bag (something reasonably "tough"). Cut the bottom off (to make a tube). Put it around the plant, i.e. open at the top - it'll need stapling around some sticks, or similar, to keep it up. See how it looks after a few weeks - if it looks well then (without the shelter) its too windy I'm afraid ...

 

I can sympathise with this dilemma! I wanted to grow an Acer p. dissectum next to my pond, but it was never happy...crisped leaves just as you describe. I potted it up and put it in a sheltered, shady spot and it thrived for 10 years. Only trouble was, nobody ever saw it!

 

:( I feel for the dilema ... if it was me I'd stick it on a sack barrow and move it into prime place when we "had company" ... and then put it back again, along with BBQ, dirty dishes et all

 

In that aspect I would go for Sambucus black lace. It has the look you wan but is far more easy to keep looking good and healthy. Acers are easy to grow but need out of the wind or the leaves will shrivel and die.

 

Hi there.

I already have Sambucus 'Nigra', I assume they are pretty much the same? If so, I wouldn't have thought it's what I'm looking for, as it can be a bit rampant, relatively speaking. I'm looking for something that will stay fairly compact, that will be happy in a container.

Cheers...Freddy

 

http://www.gardenersworld.com/plants/prunus-incisa-kojo-no-mai/1211.html

this is a fab one for a pot flowers now, my two just starting, lovely Autumn foliage

Spruce