Thank you * MR Shep I posted a deep hearted message expressing my ambitions to learn more about the japanese maples > Per American just had a Japanese baby girl . I wanted to plant a maple in her honor. I guess my post was drawn out and did not get a response. I wanted to ask you to give me 3 minutes of your precious valuable time, and advise me. what plant/tree to grow in the front of my house I live in Norwalk California. I have NO idea what zone i live in ?? I dont have a green thumb at all and have just planted and planted!! to create a beautiful back yard...(self proclaimed or mad man) I plan on planting a large maple I seen a beautiful photo on this website the person was asking what it was some thought it was a bloodgood cross breed. ?? I have no idea what that means ... any how i promise to read and do my home work before and after planting !! If you can suggest a japanese maple for me to study. my family members each out of 8 have grown a liquid amber to honor a son or daughter.. I want to follow the tradition but with a japanses maple thanks for a reply ( i think you are a genius and i marvel when reading your replys ) what a beautiful life to be enriched with such knowledge. Thank you email Andrew
Hello Andrew, I could not quite understand your first message, so I never released the post. I think it is a wonderful idea to plant a tree to honour your new daughter. You will be able to watch the tree grow as she does. As to which maple would be the best recommendation for you, I will defer to Mr. Shep and the other maple enthusiasts on the forums.
Since your questions have been posted here on the forum I will respond. Check the Sunset Western Garden Book to determine if you are in an area suitable for Japanese maples, if you do not see any around town. Libraries, garden centers, bookstores and CostCo will all have this popular title. The comment about 'Bloodgood' was probably a reference to the unfortunately rather routine practice of offering variably purplish seedlings in its place. Look this cultivar up in books (such as Japanese Maples and Maples for Gardens) to learn its coloring and leaf shape, so you can tell you are getting the true item when purchasing. This is a tall, vigorous cultivar, if Japanese maples grow in your neck of the woods the only problem I can think of is that it might be too big for your purposes - although it won't get 30' high overnight.
Before I can do anything I need to know what size of Maple you really want for the site you plan to plant it in. What color of Maple do you have the most interest in. I am assuming you have sprinklers in place to use for lawn watering as I believe you are getting metropolitan area city water, at least you used to get in Norwalk as we did in San Pedro. I will want to know your basic soil type even though I bet I already know what it is. I am not worried about climate as you are in a Western Garden Book zone 22. I foresee no real problems growing Japanese Maples where you are. You should see good red color year round if you choose a red Maple but you will probably not see good Fall color as you will not get the highs and lows of temps in the Fall or late Fall to trigger the advent of Fall colors every year, year in and year out. Look at this link sometime and go through and look at the photos of the Maples. I chose this source because almost all of the Maples can be purchased at a retail nursery near you. I think if you are going to use this Maple as an heirloom plant then you may be better served to go through a local or close by full service nursery that offers a one year guarantee in case something goes wrong with your Maple. No one wants to dedicate a plant and then see it die on them in the first year. At any rate, most likely the full service nursery will or can get their plants from this nursery. Look the Maples over and ask any questions you may have about those Maples you see listed. If your local nursery does not carry them, they can special order the plant. http://www.monrovia.com/PlantInf.ns...Query=japanese+AND++field+commonname+is+maple Jim
Maple to Honor New Daughter ( thank you ) Thank you Mr. Shep I will hit the books and get back with you. Thank you Ron & Eric
