As I've become addicted to Japanese maples, I've quickly found myself having bought many more maples than I realistically have room for in my 6500 sq. ft subdivision lot. What's your opinion on planting two (or maybe even three) different varieties of Japanese maples in the same planting hole(or within 2 feet of trunk distance from one another)? I know I can always leave the extra ones in containers but my inclination is to plant as many of them in the ground as I can. What's your thought on this? Steve
J.D. Vertrees dealt with it by pruning. Maybe you should try that also. See the section on this topic in his book Japanese Maples.
My advice is to avoid planting multiple trees in the same hole if they are larger like European white birch, etc.. Because each tree blocks and hinders root growth of the others: root growth that can anchor on that side. But with trees as small as Japanese maples, dogwoods or vine maples, it sound feasible to plant in the same hole. : - )
What an interesting idea. It happens in nature a lot. With pruning over time, it could look unique, especially depending on how you chose the habit and trees.
Yes, trees grow close together in nature all the time. And in a forest or woodland setting most of them die before full stand development is reached, due to this crowding. In a location where there is not full shade coming from the sides two or more specimens planted together will lean away from one another over time, producing an unpleasant appearance of conflict and instability. This is particularly noticeable in cultivated settings when the aforementioned European white (and other birch species) are planted as clumps in lawns and other open places.
Bonsai enthusiasts often grow a grove of three or five or more Japanese maples in a single bonsai pot, to good effect. With careful and regular pruning an upscaled equivalent could be maintained in the garden with the mentioned two feet spacing - maybe not forever but certainly for 20 years or more. Also dissectums can be close planted to make a hedge effect if you want to divide spaces in the garden. Would certainly not be less interesting than the typical bun shape that most people allow isolated dissectums to grow into, and would save a lot of space.
these bonsai groupings are quite beautiful: http://www.koiphen.com/forums/showthread.php?109474-Trident-Maple-Group-planting http://www.bonsaiboy.com/catalog/product3353.html I imagine that is a whole lot complicated than it looks. 6500 sq feet though, I imagine is plenty of space esp if you concentrate on true dwarfs.
