Ever seen the fingers of a hand model? Just as they are elegant, so are the leaves of Acer palmatum – they are its most attractive features. This gorgeous tree, also known as Japanese maple, has foliage that ranges from maroon-red to yellow-green. Plus, depending on the cultivar, Acer comes in variegated varieties.
Gorgeous Acer in Autumn
Since Japanese maples are best grown in plant hardiness zones 5 to 8, in shady and sheltered areas with acidic or neutral, moist soil, it’s only right that what you underplant with them enjoy similar conditions. More so, what you underplant with Acer should provide interest and colour to complement its graceful style.
Acers are stunning in mixed borders. Plus, they are shallow-rooted, don’t compete that hard with companion shrubs, and can adapt to multiple cultural situations.
IN THIS ARTICLE
What should you underplant with Acer?
Underplanting Acers with Shrubs
Shade-tolerant and evergreen shrubs don’t just form the second tier of planting – they also provide winter foliage for when the branches of Acers are bare.
Take Camellia japonica ‘April Dawn’ for example – it begins the flowering season with scented white flowers from December till March. Then, Evergreen azalea Autumn Sweethearts follows with its purple-dotted and soft pink flowers that bloom in May. These shrubs thrive in zones 6 to 9, as well as in acidic and moist soil.
“April Dawn” can be placed toward the back of the display because they grow to about 3 to 4 feet wide and 5 to 8 feet tall. This provides a background for the Autumn Sweetheart, which grows to about 2 to 4 feet wide and 3 to 5 feet tall.
Underplanting Acers with Perennials
You know those woodland perennials that resurface every year? They help enhance variegated shade beneath Acer’s canopy. A good option is the Bleeding heart (Dicentra eximia), which echoes the tree’s elegant leaf form – it is hardy in zones 3 to 9 and offers pendulous red, purple, or pink flowers from April till July.
Another perennial you can go for is Peony (Paeonia japonica) – it has nicely cut foliage that enjoys moist soil and shade. Even more, it is suitable for zones 5 to 8 and has yellow-centered, white flowers that come out in May.
Both perennials we mentioned here grow to about 1 ½ feet wide and tall. Plus, they can be placed in between or in front of larger shrubs.
Underplanting Acers with Bulbs
Forming the lowest tier of the woodland scene, bulbs help carpet the ground beneath Acers.
A good example is the Giant snowdrop (Galanthus elwesii) with its glistening white blooms on the top of bright green stems in winter till early spring – this brightens your garden on dull days. Also, this bulb is hardy in zones 3 to 9 and grows in clumps that reach 6 inches wide and tall.
Another bulb you can underplant with Acer is the Chinese ground orchid (Bletilla striata) which appears later in the year to display exquisite pinkish-purple blooms from April till May. Also, it has long leaves that form clumps that are ½ to 1 foot wide and 1 to 1 ½ feet tall.
You can also underplant low-growing spring bulbs like Daffodil, Winter Aconite, snowflake, Dwarf Iris, Grecian Windflower, Dog Tooth Violet, Glory of the Snow, Squill, Cyclamen, and Crocus. These bulbs not only provide a flowering carpet but also provide attractive colours to your garden.
LIST: 20 Top shrubs, perennials and bulbs to plant with Acers
- Galanthus nivalis (Snowdrops)
- Muscari armeniacum (Grape Hyacinth) or Anemone blanda
- Tulips & daffodils
- Hemlocks or nd rhododendrons
- Azaleas
- Kalmia latifola (Mountain Laurel)
- Dwarf conifers
- Hellebores (Helleborus)
- Carex oshimensis ‘Evergold’
- Adiantums ferns
- Japanese painted fern Athyrium (niponicum var. pictum)
- Dryopteris erythrosora
- Virginia sweetspire, Itea virginca ‘Henry’s Garnet’
- Oakleaf, Hydrangea quercifolia
- Upright conifers, Cryptomeria or Tsuga canadensis
- Osmanthus fragrans
- American hollies
- Ilex opaca
- Anise
- Agarista populifolia
Further Reading
We have lots of other helpful content for Acers, such as common questions we have been asked such as:
- What should I plant with an acer?
- How is best to repot an acer tree?
- Do Acers prefer acid soil?
- Do Acers prefer ericaceous compost?
- When is best to prune Acer trees in the UK?
- How to take cuttings from acer trees?
- Do Acers lose their leaves?
- Acer leaf browning and diseases,
Other Acer’s you might be interested in
Acer Brilliantissimum, Acer Feeds, Acer Jerre Schwartz, Acer Altropurprueum, Acer beni maiko, Acer Bi Hoo, Acer Bloodgood, Acer bonsai, Acer Butterfly, Acer Deshojo, Acer dissectum, Acer dissectum Firecracker, Acer emerald lace, Acer fireglow, Acer garnet, Acer katsura, Acer little princess, Acer orange dream, Acer Osakazuki, Acer Phoenix, Acer Sango kaku, Acer Seiryu, Acer Shaina, Acer Shindehojo, Acer Skeeters Broom, Acer Taylor, Acer Trompenburg, Acer Ukigumo.
