Orion Dwarf Red Japanese Maple

It’s wonderful to see the variety of shapes Japanese maples come in, and the range of sizes. This means there is a tree for every location and use in any garden. If you enjoy the classic beauty of a dwarf red tree, it’s branches spreading outwards rather than upwards, then the wonderful Orion Dwarf Red Japanese Maple will win your heart. Growing over time into a broad but low small tree, with horizontal, slightly weeping branches. In time it will be 6 to 8 feet wide but only 3 or 4 feet tall – a gorgeous sight and exactly the form many of us expect from these special trees. The leaves are dissected to the base of the leaf, with 7 long, slender fingers, edged in frilly serrations. They are bright rose-red in spring, turning deeper red through summer, and then turning clear, luminous yellow, flushed with orange, in the fall – a wonderful color sequence through the seasons. This very special tree will look fabulous in your garden, perhaps beside a pond or some handsome rock-work. Grow it as a container plant, with or without bonsai training, or in a minimalist courtyard. Of course it will also be perfect when turning that Japanese garden dream of yours into a reality.

• Broad, low, spreading form, with horizontal to slightly-weeping branches
• Bright red-pink leaves in spring turn rich red for summer
• Fall brings glowing yellow leaves tinted with oranges
• Beautiful specimen for a smaller space, by a pond or among rocks
• An excellent choice for container growing in courtyard or on a terrace

The Orion Dwarf Red Japanese Maple needs a spot with good light for the best colors, but shelter from hot sun, especially in the afternoons, will protect it from scorching. The soil should be moist but well-drained, and it is best to enrich it with good compost when preparing the planting spot. Water regularly, especially when newly planted, and always during hot, dry weather, as this plant isn’t drought tolerant. It prefers acidic soils, but will tolerate neutral and slightly acidic ones, but won’t grow so well in very alkaline conditions – consider pot-growing if you have soil like that. If the light, watering and soil are suitable, this tree is remarkably free of pest or disease problems, and easy to grow. If you want to prune or trim to emphasize it’s natural form, do this gradually, but early, to avoid trunk scarring.