Previously, we suggested using Japanese Maple trees to provide a privacy screen for the "quiet place" in your garden. If you have decided to use a large Japanese maple as the starting point or keystone of your design, Acer palmatum will be your tree of choice. There are more than 250 different varieties of Japanese Maples. For example, Acer palmatum variegatum has variegated leaves, Acer palmatum 'Coral Bark' has stems with a coral color, Acer palmatum dissectum has fine, feathery leaves and so on. These are all mutants of the original, wild form of Japanese maple (Acer palmatum). Mr. Ed refers to this original form as ‘plain vanilla.’ It is the fastest growing and becomes the largest of all the Japanese maples. When mature, it would not be unusual for this tree to be 40 feet tall with a crown diameter of 40 feet. The leaves are green through the summer and turn red and yellowish-orange during the fall. Its leaves have the typical five lobes and are about the size of the palm of your hand. Acer palmatum can grow in full sun and will tolerate light winds at the same time. Strong winds and full, hot sun will cause some of the upper leaves to scorch but that could be expected of almost any tree.

Among the 250 varieties of Japanese maple are those with bronzy or burgundy colored leaves throughout the summer such as: 'Bloodgood,' 'Atropurpureum,' 'Crimson Queen,' 'Ever Red,' 'Garnet,' 'Red Dragon,' and many more. All of them develop bright red leaves before they drop in the fall.

Another group of Japanese maples are those with very finely divided or feathery leaves. The leaves on these plants may be green or burgundy colored. This group will have varietal names such as 'Dissectum,' 'Burgundy Lace,' 'Dissectum Atropurpureum,' 'Filiferum purpureum' and more. Plants with finely divided leaves are most susceptible to leafburn problems. The more finely divided, the more severe the problem so these varieties must be in a protected area.

All the varieties of Japanese maple respond well to the same kind of correct care. As always, the first step is soil conditioning. Ideally, the entire area should be amended and treated with gypsum. Secondarily, each hole should be similarly treated before planting the trees (see our Care Guide on Planting Trees & Shrubs). Each tree needs its own irrigation source, preferably two bubblers per tree. Remember, the trees must have their own dedicated irrigation station and cannot be on the same schedule as the lawn, for example. The trees should be fertilized with Camellia, Azalea and Gardenia Food twice a year (about Memorial Day and Labor Day).

In designing your island of tranquility, it is advisable for you to make a sketch outlining the placement of your trees. On the sketch, you should have the names and a brief description of the plants. The sketch should be somewhat to scale and the laceleaf varieties in the most protected places and red-leaved varieties used as accents. If you are using several varieties of Japanese maple, your sketch will show the tallest varieties on the periphery of your "quiet place" and the smallest varieties nearer the trunk of the keystone tree.

Some gardeners will choose to make low mounds (6 to8 inches high and 8 or 10 feet in diameter) throughout their "quiet place" and plant their maple trees on these mounds, truly making an island of tranquility. This is an excellent option since it ensures that the trees will have optimum drainage.