Acers, also known as maple trees, are a superb group of trees and shrubs. You really can’t go wrong with these low maintenance acer garden plants. Perfect for partially or lightly shaded areas. 

🍁 Beauty and Appeal

• Spectacular year-round colour: From fresh spring greens to fiery autumn reds, Acers provide lasting visual interest.

• Elegant shape and structure: Naturally graceful branches and sculptural forms add sophistication to any garden.

• Wide range of styles: Choose from compact, weeping, upright, or cascading varieties to suit any space.

• Perfect for Japanese or zen-style gardens: Their tranquil appearance complements water features and stone landscapes.

• Adds instant impact: Even a single Acer can transform a space into a garden showpiece.

🌿 Practical & Low-Maintenance

• Easy to grow: Suitable for gardeners of all experience levels.

• Low pruning needs: Maintains its shape naturally, requiring minimal trimming.

• Adaptable: Thrives in both containers and garden beds.

• Hardy and reliable: Most varieties tolerate UK climates and mild frosts with ease.

• Slow-growing habit: Ideal for smaller gardens — won’t outgrow its space quickly.

🌤 Choosing the Right Location

• Plant your Acer in a sheltered position, protected from strong winds and late frosts, which can scorch delicate new leaves.

• Acers prefer partial shade — too much direct sunlight, especially in the afternoon, can cause leaf burn, while too much shade can dull their leaf colour.

• They look best when planted as a focal point in the garden or near water features where their elegant shape and seasonal colour can stand out.

🌱 Soil Requirements

• Acers thrive in moist, well-drained, slightly acidic soil.

• Avoid chalky or alkaline soil, which can cause leaf tips to brown and affect nutrient uptake.

• If your soil is heavy or clay-based, mix in organic matter or compost to improve drainage and structure.

• For container Acers, use ericaceous compost to maintain the ideal soil acidity.

💧 Watering

• Keep the soil consistently moist, especially during dry periods or when the tree is newly planted.

• Avoid waterlogging — Acers don’t like sitting in soggy soil.

• For potted Acers, water more frequently as pots dry out faster, but ensure excess water can drain away.

• During hot spells, morning watering is best to prevent the roots from overheating.

🍂 Mulching

• Apply a thick layer of organic mulch (like bark chips, leaf mould, or compost) around the base each spring.

• This helps retain moisture, regulate soil temperature, and reduce weed competition.

• Keep the mulch a few centimetres away from the trunk to prevent rot.

✂️ Pruning and Shaping

• Acers need minimal pruning — their natural shape is part of their charm.

• Remove only dead, damaged, or crossing branches.

• The best time to prune is late winter or early spring, before sap starts to rise.

• Avoid heavy pruning in late spring or summer, as this can cause sap bleeding and stress the tree.

🌸 Feeding and Fertilizing

• Feed once a year in early spring using a balanced, slow-release fertilizer or an ericaceous feed for acid-loving plants.

• Overfeeding can cause rapid, weak growth that’s more prone to wind and frost damage, so less is often more.

🪴 Container-Grown Acers

• Choose a large, deep pot with good drainage holes.

• Use ericaceous compost and refresh the top layer each spring.

• Repot every 2–3 years to prevent the roots from becoming pot-bound.

• In winter, protect the pot from freezing by wrapping it or moving it into a sheltered area.