Deciduous Trees (Flowering) – Coral Bark Japanese Maple

• Coral Bark Japanese Maple

Botanical name: acer palmatum ‘sango-kaku’

Beginner friendly?: no

Average size at maturity: about 20 ft tall

Bloom time: late summer to early fall

Hardy zone: zones 5-9

Flower color:  red 

Foliage color: yellow/green/red

Growth rate: about 1-2 ft per year

Pruning instructions: prune to contain shape/size in the late fall/early winter

Propagation methods: cut a stem just below a node and place in water until roots start to emerge

Landscape use: focal point or background foliage 

Light needs: 6-8 hours of sun per day 

Special features: very low maintenance and pest and disease tolerance 

Watering instructions: water about every 2-3 days until the tree is established after planting. Reduce watering to 1-3 times a week depending on outside temperature and amount of rainfall

Fertilizing instructions : use a slow-release fertilizer in the early spring

Best time to plant: spring or fall

Best type of soil: loamy/clay

Companion plants: ferns, hostas, hydrangeas

Toxicity level: non-toxic for humans and pets

Invasive species: no