SKU: 00840369420978 Viridis Japanese Maple Tree in a One Gallon Trade Pot

Key Features

• Growth Habit: Slow-growing, weeping deciduous ornamental tree with finely dissected laceleaf foliage and gracefully cascading branches.
• Bloom Color: Small reddish-purple flowers appear in spring but are subtle and not considered a primary ornamental feature.
• Fragrance: No noticeable fragrance.
• Fruit Flavor: Produces small winged samaras ("helicopter" seeds) that are ornamental but not edible.
• Culinary Uses: None.
• Medicinal Uses: No recognized medicinal uses. Primarily grown as an ornamental landscape tree.
• Possible Toxicity: Generally considered non-toxic to cats, dogs, horses, and humans. While ingestion is not known to cause poisoning, consuming large amounts of leaves or seeds may result in mild digestive upset.
• Wildlife & Pest Resistance: Provides seasonal shelter and nesting opportunities for birds while supporting beneficial insects. Generally resistant to deer once established, though young trees may need protection. Occasionally affected by aphids, scale insects, spider mites, or Japanese beetles. Good air circulation helps minimize fungal diseases.
• Planting Zone: Hardy in USDA Zones 5–8.
• Sun Preferences: Partial shade to full sun. Morning sun with afternoon shade is recommended in warmer climates to prevent leaf scorch, while full sun is suitable in cooler regions.
• Drought Tolerance: Moderate once established. Performs best in evenly moist, well-drained soil and benefits from supplemental watering during extended dry periods.
• Mature Size: Typically grows 6–10 feet tall with a graceful spread of 8–12 feet.

When and How to Prune

• Prune during late winter while dormant or in mid-summer after spring growth has matured to minimize sap bleeding.
• Remove dead, damaged, diseased, or crossing branches as needed.
• Lightly thin crowded interior branches to improve airflow while maintaining the tree's naturally cascading habit.
• Avoid heavy pruning or topping, as this can diminish the tree's elegant weeping form.
• Remove occasional vigorous upright shoots to preserve its balanced silhouette.

Planting Instructions (1-Gallon Pot into the Ground)

1. Plant in spring or early fall when temperatures are cool and soil conditions are favorable.
2. Choose a location with fertile, slightly acidic, well-drained soil protected from harsh afternoon sun and drying winds.
3. Dig a hole twice as wide as the root ball and approximately the same depth as the nursery container.
4. Carefully remove the tree from the gallon pot and gently loosen any circling roots before planting.
5. Position the root ball so the top sits level with or slightly above the surrounding soil.
6. Backfill with the native soil, gently firming around the roots without compacting.
7. Water deeply immediately after planting to settle the soil around the roots.
8. Apply a 2–3 inch layer of organic mulch over the root zone, keeping mulch several inches away from the trunk.
9. Water consistently during the first growing season to establish a healthy, deep root system.

Overwintering Steps

• Viridis Japanese Maple is hardy in USDA Zones 5–8 and generally requires little winter maintenance once established.
• Continue watering during dry autumn weather until the ground freezes to help prevent winter desiccation.
• Maintain a 2–4 inch layer of mulch around the root zone to insulate roots and reduce freeze-thaw stress, keeping mulch away from the trunk.
• Young trees may benefit from trunk wrap during their first few winters to protect against sunscald and frost cracking.
• Protect newly planted trees from harsh winter winds whenever possible.
• Carefully brush heavy snow from branches to reduce the risk of breakage, but avoid removing naturally formed ice.
• Avoid fertilizing after midsummer to prevent tender late-season growth from being damaged by freezing temperatures.

With its delicate emerald-green laceleaf foliage, graceful cascading form, and brilliant autumn display, Viridis Japanese Maple is a timeless landscape treasure. Whether planted as a specimen beside a garden path, reflected in a pond, or featured in a Japanese-inspired landscape, this elegant tree offers four seasons of beauty, texture, and lasting visual appeal with minimal maintenance.