Acer palmatum ‘Adrian’s Compact’

Description:

Acer palmatum ‘Adrian’s Compact’ is one of the most unique growing red Japanese maple trees that we grow. Adrian’s compact has small, broad leaves that curl slightly at the tips. The shape of these leaves is quite different than any other red broadleaf Japanese maple. These leaves emerge bright red in the spring before darkening to a burgundy for the summer. Fall color is then a bright red once more. The size and shape of Adrian’s Compact also make it extremely unique as it is an upright growing Japanese maple that maxes out at around four feet tall or so. Adrian’s Compact will have a slightly dense and compact growth habit, but looks more like a small tree than a shrubby bush like many of the other dwarf varieties of Japanese maple trees.

10 Year Size:  

Height:  4-6 Feet   Width: 3-4 Feet

Acer palmatum ‘Adrian’s Compact’ will only grow to about four feet tall. This is extremely unique for an upright growing variety.

Adrian’s Compact will get almost as wide as it will tall.

COLORS:

Acer palmatum ‘Adrian’s Compact’ emerges in the spring with dark red leaves. There will be variation in the red color depending on the amount of sun that your Adrian’s Compact Japanese maple tree is getting. These leaves then turn to a burgundy in the summer time as the temperatures rise. Come fall, Adrian’s Compact turns a bright red color before eventually dropping its leaves for the winter.

STRUCTURE:

Acer palmatum ‘Adrian’s Compact’ has a very unique growth habit compared to other Japanese maples. Adrian’s Compact is a dwarf Japanese maple that only reaches about 4 feet tall at maturity, but it doesn’t have the weeping habit of most dwarf Japanese maple trees. While Adrian’s Compact does have a somewhat compact structure, it is not nearly as dense as the typical witches broom varieties such as Shaina or Fireball. Adrian’s Compact grows in its own unique way. It develops into a short, upright growing tree with a slightly compact habit.

HISTORY:

Acer palmatum ‘Adrian’s Compact’ was found as a chance seedling by Adrian Ellerbrook of West Oregon Nursery. Adrian’s Compact is known for being a unique Japanese maple tree with size and leaf shape that are simply unmatched by any other Japanese maple variety.

HARDINESS:

USDA Plant Hardiness Zones: 5-9

AHS Heat Zone: 5-10

Sunset Climate Zone: 3-10, 12, 14-24, 28-37

Japanese maples such as Acer palmatum ‘Adrian’s Compact’ are hardy in most regions of the United States. The only areas where they will not work are areas of extreme cold or extreme hot temperatures. Areas of extremely high altitudes may also not work particularly well for Japanese maples. Japanese maples will also thrive better in areas of consistent rainfall. These zones are general rules, but exceptions do apply. Do your own research on your particular area before purchasing a Japanese maple, but Japanese maples are generally a very hardy tree.

SUN TOLERANCE:

The majority of Japanese maples are going to prefer some variation of morning sun and afternoon shade. While this is great in a perfect world, it is not realistic for every Japanese maple. Many Japanese maples can handle much more sun, such as Acer palmatum ‘Adrian’s Compact’. Adrian’s Compact can handle up to all day sun with little issues. However, better color will be maintained in the summer if given a break from the hot afternoon sun.

PLANTING:

Planting A Japanese Maple In The Ground:

All Japanese maples should be planted slightly elevated on a mound. This can be done by leaving a small portion of the rootball above ground level when planting. Dirt is then brought up to the sides covering up the majority of the roots. The end result is an elevated mound up to the base of the tree. The root flare where the trunk ends and the roots begin should be visible above ground level when planting is finished. A light layer of pine straw or pine bark mulch around the tree is all the mulch that is needed for a Japanese maple. Don’t pile too much mulch up against the trunk of the tree.

Planting A Japanese Maple In A Container:

Japanese maples like Adrian’s Compact work great as container plants. When planting a Japanese maple in a container, we typically recommend a 50/50 mix of soil conditioner and potting soil. This will provide a good growing medium for your tree while also allowing for proper drainage. You still want to plant your Japanese maple slightly elevated in the container with the root flare above the dirt level.

SOIL REQUIREMENTS:

Japanese maples like Acer palmatum ‘Adrian’s Compact’ prefer slightly acidic soils, but they are very adaptable to nearly any soil. We rarely recommend any soil amendments when planting a new Japanese maple other than possibly some soil conditioner or top soil to fill in here and there. The main thing to consider with soil is the drainage. Japanese maples love well draining soil. They like to get wet, but they don’t like to stay wet. This is another reason that we recommend planting Japanese maples elevated on a mound, so that the water can drain out from the roots of the Japanese maple tree.

WATERING:

Japanese maples like moist well draining conditions. They like good soakings, but then that water needs a chance to drain away. Japanese maples do not like wet feet. When you first plant your Adrian’s Compact, you should water no more than once or twice per week depending on the time of the year. Your Adrian’s Compact Japanese maple may need more water when planted in the summer versus if it is planted in the fall or winter. After a couple of months you can back off on the watering a little bit as the tree is getting established. There is no need to water your Adrian’s Compact while it is dormant unless there is no rain for several weeks. Your Adrian’s Compact should be able to live off of nothing but rain water after the first year in the ground. You can give it a drink again if there hasn’t been any rain for a couple weeks or so. Important: most people have more issues overwatering their Japanese maple than under watering it. Don’t kill your Japanese maple tree with kindness.

SPECIAL CARE:

There is very little special care required with Japanese maples, including Acer palmatum ‘Adrian’s Compact’ You want to fertilize your Japanese maple in the spring with an organic Japanese maple fertilizer such as Happy Frog. This will ensure that your Adrian’s Compact Japanese maple is receiving all the nutrients it needs to flourish in your yard.

PRUNING:

You can prune your Adrian’s Compact Japanese maple in the winter when the tree is dormant. This is the best time to prune a Japanese maple because the energy of the tree is not flowing as actively as it may in the spring or summer. Adrian’s Compact takes very well to pruning and can become an elegant tree over time with proper care. There are many different ways to prune a Japanese maple. As long as you only prune in the winter and never take more than a third of the tree off at any given time, then it is hard to go wrong. Pruning is all about your personal preferences and making your tree look good for you.