I have grown Japanese maple trees in every sort of setting, from shady woodland beds in South Wales to sunny patios in Italy. And, one question that I always seem to get asked is: how do I change the color of Japanese maples?
We all want those deep crimsons, honey golds and flaming oranges that elevate a space. But here’s the inconvenient truth: you can’t really change a Japanese maple’s color. Unlike hydrangeas, their leaf shade is written into their genetic code. Feed them, mulch them, water them well, all of that will help with health, vigor, and perhaps the intensity of their foliage, but a red-leaved variety will stay red, and a green one won’t suddenly turn scarlet.
