Seiryu Japanese Maples are a neat little tree with lots of interesting qualities that make it perfect for your garden and for mine. After learning so much about it and seeing it will be my next garden purchase. It does everything I like my maples to do. I personally like maples that have lots of interest other than just come out red, stay red and go out red. I like color and change in the garden and this little guy does just that.
Seiryu Japanese maple belongs to the Dissectum group of Acer palmatum cultivars. Dissectum basically means finely cut, lacey leaves and the leaves of Seiryu are no exception. Instead of the more common wide-spreading weeping or cascading form that most dissectums take, seiryu grows upright. For a Japanese Maple Seiryu is a fast grower sometimes growing up to a foot a year. It develops into a multi branched upright tree with fairly thick branches and exceptional form.
Give your Seiryu maple the same conditions you would most other maples.
As a rule most maples should be planted and used as an under story tree, meaning plant it underneath other tall trees where it will get filtered light but make sure and give it enough room to be fully appreciated as an accent plant. Same as with other maples, it makes an excellent container plant that can be enjoyed in sunny areas of your garden but must be moved into a shady area of your garden as soon as it starts getting hot.
Now the coolest thing about this maple, the Color! It comes out bright turning a pale green. In late summer it turns a little darker but as soon as it cools down some it will begin to give you some red, gold and yellow coloring changing fairly fast. Remember in the Texas Gulf Coast almost all trees or plants that develop any leaf coloration and Fall color interest will all be based on local weather changes and temperature. You can't guarantee this fall color transformation without cold weather, and if a premature freeze were to hit it throws this fall color change schedule totally off. On the bright side though, if it does get as cold as it did last year.. Fall color will be outstanding.
Again this tree would be an amazing addition to your garden. Just remember to plant it in the right location and keep it well watered.
