We have a new Japanese maple in our garden! When I researched it after seeing it on the Treesearch Farms inventory list, I knew I had to have it! I actually removed a couple of dwarf yaupons just to make space for it. Then we installed a simple arbor to train it on. I believe this makes me an official plant geek : ), especially if I told you the price!

Stunning fall color brought on by the recent colder nights.

This weeping red palmate leaf Japanese maple goes by the name Acer palmatum ‘Ryuse’, but let’s just call him Rudy. It is a newcomer to the market first introduced by Kobayashi Nursery in Japan. The maples pendulous form means it can grow down from a hang pot or on a slope. It will need support if you want it to grow upright. It can be trained over a trellis as we are doing.

-Planted in late November. It was a sixth wedding anniversary present : )

It is said to reach 5-6 feet in 15 years. This being the case I am happy ours is already an enjoyable height.The name Ryusen ‘Ryu sei’ means “dragon spirit” this seem appropriate now that I have seen the leaves change from medium green to deep red, orange and yellow. Being in a warmer climate we had to wait until winter when the temperature finally drop to see what in other zones would have been its autumn change. Research tells me they start as a bright chartreuse green in the spring.

-Having mild winters we don’t get the deep rich fall color from very many trees here in Houston.

I never realized how much training can be involved in getting a interesting shape out of a Japanese maple until I visited the Portland Japanese gardens.

-When you look under this majestic tree you see wire and bamboo frame work that is training the branches.

Further research says a Ryusen Japanese maple is happy in zones 5-9, It can grow in shade  in those zones or full sun up to zone 8. We will get back to you on that as we are considered zone 9a (with thoughts that the Heights has a micro-climate similar to 8b). We have planted ours in full sun and I will keep an eye on it next summer.

-Trellis installed to use to help train Rudy. The plant on the other side is a Weeping Yaupon Holly that seems want to be tall.

Observation and trial and error makes me believe we have also have a micro climate in our garden that allows us to grow things that are generally happier in zone 8. I am sure it helps that we keep our beds mulched or composted regularly, fertilize with all organic products and spray with Seaweed extract every season and before a hot spell or freeze. And we have drip tubing style irrigation that keeps them watered when we don’t get regular rain. What I am saying is this may not be a low maintenance plant here in Houston but it is right where I can keep an eye on it and give it TLC.

While looking back through my picture files I stumbled across this image I saved. It touches my heart, so I am sharing it with you! Happy Gardening!