Villa Taranto Japanese Maple
Acer palmatum ‘Villa Taranto’
Villa Taranto Japanese Maple
Acer palmatum ‘Villa Taranto’
How are the heights measured?
All tree, and nothin' but the tree! We measure from the top of the soil to the top of the tree; the height of the container or the root system is never included in our measurements.
What is a gallon container?
Nursery containers come in a variety of different sizes, and old-school nursery slang has stuck. While the industry-standard terminology is to call the sizes "Gallon Containers", that doesn't exactly translate to the traditional liquid "gallon" size we think of. You'll find we carry young 1-gallons, up to more mature 7-gallons ranging anywhere from 6 inches to 6ft.
How does the delivery process work?
All of our orders ship via FedEx Ground! Once your order is placed online, our magic elves get right to work picking, staging, boxing and shipping your trees. Orders typically ship out within 2 business days. You will receive email notifications along the way on the progress of your order, as well as tracking information to track your plants all the way to their new home!
Why are some states excluded from shipping?
The short & sweet answer is: "United States Department of Agriculture Restrictions." Every state has their own unique USDA restrictions on which plants they allow to come into their state. While we wish we could serve everyone, it's for the safety of native species and helps prevent the spread of invasive disease & pests. We've gotta protect good ole' Mother Nature, after all.
About Me
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If friendly aliens sent us a tree to treasure, the Villa Taranto Japanese Maple would be the one. You may think you know what Japanese maples look like, but this one is something very special indeed. The leaves are much larger than normal and very deeply divided and narrow. They are held out from the branches on long leaf stalks and each leaf arches over like a strange hand. In some ways the leaves are more like the leaves of a bamboo plant. The tree itself is upright, with groups of branches spaced out along the trunk, making it a very striking addition to any garden. In time it will make a good sized small tree, growing to 10 feet tall and spreading perhaps 7 feet across. This will become a knock-out specimen in your garden that you will be so proud to own and show to your visitors. Over time it may even grow taller, but never so tall as to overpower the area it is planted in.
- A unique form with over-sized, narrow curving leaves
- Forms a broad upright tree to 10 feet tall or more
- The spring leaves are purple and red as they develop
- Beautiful fall colors of gold and orange
- The perfect specimen tree for a smaller garden
This unique tree is not difficult to grow. It will grow in any garden soil that is well-drained and which does not dry completely during summer. Each spring the emerging leaves will glow in red and purple. During summer they will be greener, with red overtones, and each fall the tree will glow in all the possible shades of gold and orange. The best colors develop with some sun, so a location that is sunny in the morning, especially in spring and fall, is ideal. Protect your tree from the hot afternoon sun.
- Plant Hardiness Zones 5-8
- Mature Width 7
- Mature Height 8-10
- Sun Needs Full Sun, Partial Sun
When you have many varieties of the same plant, they can blend into a blur of similarity. So when one stands out as unique and extraordinary, that surely is the one you should plant in your garden, to make a personal and special place of your own garden. When it comes to Japanese Maples, the Villa Taranto Japanese Maple is exactly that plant. It is unique and completely unlike any other Japanese Maple you can find. Here at the Tree Center we pride ourselves on our collection of special Japanese Maples, and we have many that are remarkable.
When it comes to those that form larger trees, one look at this tree will show how truly special it is. These are perhaps the largest leaves of any Japanese Maple and their narrow form gives them a very special look. The leaves are so large that the tips naturally bend over, giving each leaf an arching form and making it seem that the leaves themselves cascade, even though the tree is upright. Some people have noticed that the leaves are similar to those of bamboo and they certainly give this tree a unique and extraordinary appearance.
Growing Villa Taranto Japanese Maple Trees
As your Villa Taranto Japanese Maple develops it will have one, two or three upright trunks, with clusters of side branches all the way up. Each of these clusters will of course be covered with the arching leaves, creating simultaneously upright and weeping effects. In spring the new leaves are stunning, as they unfold in shades of red and purple. During summer they develop a calmer green color, but still overlaid with red. In fall the tree glows with golden orange colors, catching the eye from yards away and making a remarkable feature in your garden.
After the leaves fall you will see on mature trees clusters of red maple-keys, smaller versions of those seen of large shade-tree Maples. These add winter interest and charm while you impatiently wait for the buds to break next spring. The Villa Taranto Japanese Maple will add real charm to any garden and makes the perfect specimen tree for a smaller space. It can also be grown in a large container as a feature on a terrace or patio.
Planting Location and Soil Conditions
Locate your tree in an area with some morning sun, particularly during spring and fall, so that the best colors develop at those seasons. Protection from afternoon shade is best, especially if you live in a warmer area. Most kinds of soil are suitable, as long as they do not hold water constantly, but moisture is necessary, especially in summer, to keep the leaves fresh and healthy. Mix plenty of organic material into the soil when you are preparing the planting site for your tree, which will grow well among other plants that love partial shade, like Azaleas and Rhododendrons. Mulch your tree each spring with compost or rotted manure and keep it well watered all summer, especially during its first few years.
Pests and Diseases
The Villa Taranto Japanese Maple will not be affected by pests or diseases and needs no pruning to develop its unique form. In fact it is best left to develop in its own way to form a specimen tree that will bring drama to any garden.
Growing in a Pot
If you are looking for height on a terrace or patio, you can also grow this tree in a large pot for many years. Make sure the container has drainage holes and use an outdoor potting soil that is recommended for trees. These often contain rotted tree bark which protects the tree against diseases. Water your tree thoroughly when the top layer becomes dry, but do not water a tree that is already wet.
Buying Villa Taranto Japanese Maples at The Tree Center
Because of its unique form the Villa Taranto Japanese Maple must be carefully grown from stem pieces taken from trees known to be the correct variety. Cheaper seedling trees will never ever have the unique properties of this tree, so avoid them if you want something worthwhile growing in your garden. This tree is only rarely offered for sale and our stocks are limited. We anticipate strong demand, so order now to avoid missing out on adding this remarkable tree to your garden.
