Acer palmatum ‘Aizumi nishiki’

Description:

Acer palmatum ‘Aizumi nishiki’ is a small Japanese maple with intense variegation. This tree is splashed with pinks and whites and greens. These colors are similar but more intense and consistent than the classic ‘Oridino nishiki’ Like most variegated varieties, ‘Aizumi nishiki’ should be planted in shade for the best color, or at least given protection from the hot afternoon sun.

10 Year Size:

Height 6-8 feet Width: 4-6 feet

Acer palmatum ‘Aizumi nishiki’ is a short Japanese maple tree with a somewhat spreading habit. Aisumi nishiki will not get very large which makes it a good variety for many different locations in the yard.

The width of Aizumi nishiki can get to be close to the same as the height. The spreading habit of this Japanese maple makes for an elegant tree in the landscape.

COLORS:

Acer palmatum ‘Aizumi nishiki’ has some of the most outstanding variegated colors of any Japanese maple. In the spring, the leaves will be green with pinks and whites splashed all over the foliage. In the summer, the pinks will typically fade to more creamy whites. Fall color is orange.

STRUCTURE:

Acer palmatum ‘Aizumi nishiki’ is a short upright and spreading variety of variegated Japanese maple. Aizumi nishiki should form an open spreading habit at maturity that should be an elegant addition to the landscape.

HISTORY:

HARDINESS:

USDA Plant Hardiness Zones: 5-9

AHS Heat Zone: 5-10

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

Variegated Japanese maples such as Acer palmatum ‘Aizumi nishiki’ 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. Variegated Japanese maples typically maintain better colors in more moderate regions.

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, however Acer palmatum ‘Aizumi nishiki’ will certainly perform better being protected 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 Aizumi nishiki 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 ‘Aizumi nishiki’ 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 Aizumi nishiki, you should water no more than once or twice per week depending on the time of the year. Your Aizumi nishiki 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 Aizumi nishiki while it is dormant unless there is no rain for several weeks. Your Aizumi nishiki 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 ‘Aizumi nishiki’ 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 Aizumi nishiki Japanese maple is receiving all the nutrients it needs to flourish in your yard. Many variegated Japanese maples can lose their variegation when given too much nitrogen in common fertilizers. Another reason to use the low nitrogen Happy Frog Japanese maple Fertilizer.

PRUNING:

You can prune your Aizumi nishiki 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. Aizumi nishiki 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. To maintain the best variegated colors for your Aizumi nishiki you can prune out most of the branches with just solid green leaves. This will encourage the tree to push out more variegated leaves.