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Avatar for chili
Mar 21, 2015 3:36 PM CST
Thread OP
Name: Lynn
KC, Missouri (Zone 6a)
I'm redoing a large bed along my front walk to front door. I am thinking a Japanese Maple would make a good focal point. The area is 15 by 30 ft. The area gets morning shade and will get strong afternoon sun. I worry JM may not be good in that spot. I read an Emperor 1 can take quite a bit of sun. I'm open to ideas. Funds are limited and I won't be trying to fill the space right now but will plant a variety of evergreens, shrubs and some accent perennials. We are in Missouri, so hot summers are the norm (zone 5 or 6, depending). Thanks!
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Mar 27, 2015 4:36 PM CST
Name: Jean
Prairieville, LA (Zone 9a)
Charter ATP Member Plant Identifier The WITWIT Badge Celebrating Gardening: 2015 Garden Sages
Welcome! to ATP Chili. Here are some links with info as to size etc for sun tolerant Japanese maples. I hope this helps.

http://www.lakesnursery.com/cm...

http://www.newgarden.com/notes...

http://www.gardenguides.com/13...
Avatar for chili
Mar 27, 2015 9:26 PM CST
Thread OP
Name: Lynn
KC, Missouri (Zone 6a)
Thanks, those links are helpful.
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Mar 28, 2015 9:34 AM CST
Name: Jean
Prairieville, LA (Zone 9a)
Charter ATP Member Plant Identifier The WITWIT Badge Celebrating Gardening: 2015 Garden Sages
You are most welcome. I have Bloodgood and it gets all but the after 2PM CST sun directly, and the afternoon is dappled bright light. It has never had a problem here in the hot and humid South.

Another small tree you might like is the Japanese Magnolia. I have Jane and Susan, part of the "Little Girl" series of crosses between Magnolia liliflora and Magnolia stellata. They are very heat tolerant and the fragrance is wonderful.

http://www.missouribotanicalga...

http://www.missouribotanicalga...
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Mar 28, 2015 5:33 PM CST
Name: Elaine
Sarasota, Fl
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I'd be cautious of the words "sun tolerant" though. To me this always says "this plant would really do better in the shade".

You're going to spend quite a bit for a Japanese Maple, and you want to put it where it has the best chance to look great, not just 'tolerate' its location. I think blazing afternoon sun would certainly make just about any Japanese Maple tree struggle.

Is there any space on the west side of the spot where you could plant another tree that would throw a little shade over it in the afternoon? Maybe a pergola?

How about one of the Black Lace Sambucus instead? Elderberry (Sambucus nigra Black Lace™) They have very similar foliage, but might be more tolerant of the sun, and would also not be such a big investment. They also grow a lot faster, and can be pruned to look like a shrub or tree, to whatever size you want your feature to be. Japanese Maples are notoriously slow growers.
Elaine

"Success is stumbling from failure to failure with no loss of enthusiasm." –Winston Churchill
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Mar 29, 2015 10:10 AM CST
Plants Admin Emeritus
Name: Evan
Pioneer Valley south, MA, USA (Zone 6a)
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I have to agree with dyzzypyxxy that a Japanese Maple will take years to mature and your careful research is certainly warranted. Contacting the Missouri Botanical Gardens might be your surest bet. http://www.missouribotanicalga...

Even in my climate where many Japanese Maples are treated as full sun trees, some leaf burn can occur in particularly hot and dry summers. It's usually minor and so not objectionable and doesn't significantly affect the trees.
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Mar 29, 2015 11:17 AM CST
Name: Jean
Prairieville, LA (Zone 9a)
Charter ATP Member Plant Identifier The WITWIT Badge Celebrating Gardening: 2015 Garden Sages
Here is a link to the Missouri Botanical Garden Plant Finder info site for Japanese Maples. It should be fairly accurate for your needs, Chili. I hope this is more helpful for you.

http://www.missouribotanicalga...
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