Garden designer Ish shared his top tips for protecting Japanese maples during the summer months when heat and sunlight are out in force.
Garden designer Ish shared his top tips for protecting Japanese maples during the summer months when heat and sunlight are out in force(Image: DigiPub via Getty Images)
A gardening guru has advised gardeners to safeguard their plants during the current heatwave, particularly those cultivating Japanese maples. Garden designer and TikTok influencer Ish has shared his recommendations for shielding the plant – alternatively called an acer – when scorching temperatures and intense sunlight dominate, reports the Express.
In a latest clip, Ish cautioned that when the plant’s foliage faces excessive heat and sun exposure, it may lose its striking red hue, whilst also becoming crispy and dropping off. In serious instances, leaf scorch can result in early leaf fall and even the death of smaller branches.
Should this occur, the foliage will not grow back until the following year.
When Japanese acers leaves become ‘scorched’ they will crisp up and fall off(Image: Getty)How to keep Japanese maples safe during a heatwave
Ish explained: “Now there are three main rules when it comes to taking care of an acer: keep it somewhere partially shaded, give it a good free-draining soil that retains a little bit of moisture, and don’t let it near anywhere windy, that could really finish it off.
“But the main enemy for an acer, especially in summer, is that heat and the sunlight.”
Should Japanese maples face excessive heat and sun exposure, their stunning red foliage will become crispy and wither. Once the leaves turn crispy, they will ultimately fall and will not regrow until the following season.
The initial step to safeguard the plant involves ensuring it maintains maximum moisture levels. Ensure you provide it with a substantial amount of water during the early morning or evening hours. To retain moisture, Ish suggested placing a thin layer of white stones over the soil to bounce back the sunlight.
Content cannot be displayed without consent
This keeps both the plant and earth cool whilst preventing water from evaporating away. Ish noted that mulch or bark can also serve as a protective shield. Direct heat and sunshine can be avoided by draping the plant with frost fleece or shade netting.
These materials allow some light to filter through without burning the foliage. For potted acers that can be relocated, it’s advisable to shift them to a shadier spot in the garden.
Ish went on: “Heatwaves are the biggest cause of loss of leaves on your acers this time of year, so by keeping it well-hydrated, and protecting it from that direct sunlight and the direct heat, your acer will absolutely thrive.
“And you’ll get the leaves all the way through till winter, but occasionally, you will get some crisp up a little earlier and they’ll start to die off. Don’t be afraid, keep watering it and treating it as normal, and those leaves will come back next year. It seems scary but I promise you they’ll come back.”
The Royal Horticultural Society noted that Japanese maples prefer cool, lightly shaded spots in rich, well-draining soil, away from direct summer sun. The plant flourishes under the canopy of taller deciduous trees.
It’s also worth noting that during late winter and early spring, extra attention is required due to the season’s chilly winds and potential frost, which can scorch the leaves.
This implies that it’s best to limit exposure to wind as it can rapidly dry out the leaves, irrespective of the temperature. Positioning them near a fence or a larger plant can provide additional shielding from wind gusts.
If you want ideas and inspiration to plan your next UK adventure plus selected offers and competitions, sign up for our 2Chill weekly newsletter here
AloJapan.com