Let's Talk About Coral Bark Japanese Maples
Coral bark Japanese Maples are probably the third most popular genre of Japanese Maple behind the traditional red broad leaf and lace leaf varieties. When people mention the term coral bark, most of the time they are referring to the variety, ‘Sango kaku’. This is by far the most popular variety of coral bark Japanese Maple, however there are dozens of others that are all worth having. Coral bark is also often used to refer to any Japanese Maple that has colored bark, while the bark color can actually vary quite a bit from red to orange to yellow and even green. In this article I want to discuss the many varieties of coral bark Japanese Maples, the special care that these trees need, and some personal opinions about the category.
Coral Bark Japanese Maple Varieties
Let’s begin with the classic coral bark Japanese Maple, ‘Sango kaku’. Acer palmatum ‘Sango kaku’ is a popular tree for good reason. It is a very fast-growing tree that really stands out in the landscape. ‘Sango kaku’ emerges in spring with light green leaves that darken as summer approaches. The fall color is a vibrant yellow that stands out even among the rest of the fall garden. Once the leaves fall, ‘Sango kaku’ has some of the reddest bark of any of the coral bark varieties. This fabulous bark color, along with the fall color and the growth rate, are what make ‘Sango kaku’ the most popular coral bark variety.
‘Beni kawa’ is another commonly thought of coral bark Japanese Maple that is quite like ‘Sango kaku’. Acer palmatum ‘Beni kawa’ grows shorter and wider than ‘Sango kaku’ but has the same general shape and size. Where these two trees differ noticeably is in the fall color. ‘Beni kawa’ has much more orange and red in the fall foliage than the yellow of ‘Sango kaku’. The bark color of ‘Beni kawa’ is also redder in the wintertime. While ‘Beni kawa’ sometimes gets overlooked due to the popularity of ‘Sango kaku’, it stands on its own as an excellent coral bark cultivar.
‘Winter Flame’ is probably our third most popular tree in the traditional coral bark category. Acer palmatum ‘Winter Flame’ is often considered a dwarf version of the famous ‘Sango kaku’. ‘Winter Flame’ mimics its big brother with light green spring foliage that darkens in the summer before turning a bright golden yellow in the fall. However, this tree will only reach about 8 feet or so at full maturity compared to the 20 feet that ‘Sango kaku’ can achieve. Of course, ‘Winter Flame’ also has the intense red bark associated with all of these coral bark Japanese Maples, however the branches are smaller making the color harder to notice. There are many other Japanese Maples that I would fit into this traditional coral bark category such as: Aka kawa hime, Red Wood, Fjelheim, Japanese Sunrise, and Mizuho beni.
Other Japanese Maple Varieties with Bark Color
‘Bi hou’ is one of the most coveted Japanese Maples in the trade. We get asked about it constantly and we usually sell out of them quickly after they become available. This is because Acer palmatum ‘Bi hou’ is one of the most striking cultivars of Japanese Maples period. Its yellow bark shines like nothing else in the winter and maintains throughout the entire year. ‘Bi hou’ doesn’t have spring or summer foliage that is particularly fascinating, but it does have fantastic yellow fall color that matches the outstanding yellow of the bark.
‘Dixie Delight’ is one of our own introductions at Maple Ridge Nursery. I would best describe Acer palmatum ‘Dixie Delight’ as our version of ‘Bi hou’. ‘Dixie Delight’ does not have as striking a yellow bark as ‘Bi hou’ but it is close in the winter. ‘Dixie Delight’ also features a salmon color to the bark at times which adds to the bark interest. The fall color is also quite different as ‘Dixie Delight’ has bright reddish-orange fall color that is quite magnificent. Be sure to plant ‘Dixie Delight’ in at least part shade as this creates a darker green foliage come summer which contrasts spectacularly against the yellow bark.
There is yet another color of Japanese Maple bark that I want to discuss and that is green bark. Acer palmatum ‘Aoyagi’ is known for its bright green bark. In fact, aoyagi means green coral. This green coral bark maple is not nearly as sought after as its red and yellow contemporaries, however it is yet another fascinating example of a Japanese Maple who’s bark makes it stand out in the crowd. ‘Aoyagi’ also boasts excellent spring color that is chartreuse that darkens to green in the summer. Fall color is also a striking yellow.
Special Care for Coral Bark Japanese Maples
There are a few special notes to be aware of when considering a coral bark Japanese Maple or a maple with bark interest. When deciding which coral bark to get, size will be a major factor. As with all plants the growth rate and size are important aspects to consider but considering there are several different coral bark Japanese maples that are very similar except in size, this is possibly the most important factor to consider in this situation. You will also have to determine which bark color and fall color that you prefer. Sun is also an important factor considering sunlight helps to bring out the bark color in most instances. However, full sun is not always advisable in the south due to the extreme heat that can lead to leaf scorch. Finding a location that will give the tree morning sun while protecting it from the heat of afternoon sun will be perfect for any of these trees.
We love our coral bark Japanese Maples and believe that every garden should have at least a couple of them. There simply is no substitute for the four seasons of interest that these lovely trees deliver. If you have a coral bark Japanese Maple or a Japanese Maple with bark interest, we would love to see it! You can share pictures of your tree with us on Social Media or send us an email! If you would like, we might even have interest in using the pictures on our website. We also encourage you to submit your coral bark pictures or any pictures of your favorite Japanese Maples in our March Maple Madness contest! It’s your opportunity to win awesome prizes from Maple Ridge Nursery! We hope you enjoyed this edition of Maple Ridge Musings and that you’ll check us out again next time!