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Small ornamental deciduous tree
Sapindaceae
Érable japonais à feuillage pourpre réticulé
Japanese Maple Purple Ghost
Acer palmatum
Purple Ghost (<em>Acer palmatum</em> ‘Purple Ghost’) is an upright, broadly spreading Japanese maple from the Ghost series. Its palmate, reddish-purple leaves are marked with almost black veins and wavy margins, then turn bright orange and red in autumn. It reaches about 3 to 3.6 m in height and 1.5 to 1.8 m in width. Hardy in zone 5 in a sheltered Quebec location, it prefers soft sun or partial shade, cool, well-drained humus soil, and protection from dry wind, salt, and reflected heat. The keyword Purple Ghost Japanese maple refers specifically to this grafted cultivar.
- Exposure
- Soft morning sun with bright partial shade; protected site
- Hardiness
- Zone 5
Discover the plant
Common nameJapanese Maple Purple Ghost
FamilySapindaceae
GenusAcer
Speciespalmate
CultivarPurple Ghost
TypeSmall ornamental deciduous tree
Botanical nameAcer palmatum
Purple Ghost Japanese Maple (Acer palmatum ‘Purple Ghost’). (Acer palmatum ‘Purple Ghost’) belongs to the Ghost series created by Talon Buchholz in Oregon. Its five- to seven-lobed palmate foliage opens reddish-purple, traversed by a network of almost black veins and bordered by slightly undulating margins. The tones deepen in summer, then turn vivid orange and red in autumn. Its upright, widely spreading and densely branched habit reaches approximately 3 to 3.6 m in height by 1.5 to 1.8 m in width in Canadian gardens.
In Quebec, cultivate Purple Ghost in a sheltered zone 5 microclimate, in soft morning sun or bright partial shade. Some sun exposure enhances the colours, but light afternoon shade protects the leaves during heatwaves. Choose a humus-rich, slightly acidic to neutral, fresh and very well-drained soil. Water deeply during the first two seasons and dry periods, keep the root crown visible and apply 5 to 8 cm of mulch without touching the trunk. Avoid drying winds, de-icing salt, reflective surfaces and any standing water around the roots.
Use this Japanese maple as a specimen near a patio, in a sheltered courtyard, a Japanese garden or a bed visible from the house. Its small reddish spring flowers may be followed by discreet samaras, but its reticulated foliage remains the main attraction. The Asian species is not native to Canada; associate it with regional shrubs and perennials adapted to partial shade. Light pruning in summer is sufficient to remove dead wood, a crossed branch or a shoot from the rootstock below the graft point. Preserve its natural branching and a large permeable root zone.
Planting guide
From planting to establishment.
Spacing / density
Space at least 12 to 15 ft (3.6 to 4.5 m) apart
Best planting time
Spring after hard frosts or early autumn
Propagation
Professional grafting to faithfully preserve Purple Ghost
Soil and care
The right care,at the right time.
Soil pH
Slightly acidic to neutral, about 5.5 to 7
Minimum temperature
-30 °C (-22 °F)
Care level
Moderate
Watering
Water slowly after planting and keep the soil evenly moist for the first two seasons. Check the moisture level under the mulch before adding water. During a heatwave, intervene before the leaves curl or turn brown. Reduce watering in autumn without letting the root ball dry out completely. Direct water to the soil rather than onto the foliage and avoid prolonged saturation.
Soil type
Provide a humus-rich, loose, fresh, and very well-drained soil, preferably slightly acidic to neutral. Loam enriched with mature compost works well as long as water never stagnates. Avoid compact clay, significant limestone, and intense root competition. In a container, use an aerated and stable substrate, and frequently check the moisture without letting the pot sit in a saucer.
Fertilization
Fertilize sparingly. Soil amended with mature compost and covered with an organic mulch is often sufficient. If growth is poor, have the soil tested and apply a gentle, slow-release fertilizer in the spring as recommended. Too much nitrogen produces tender shoots that are less colorful and more susceptible to cold. Stop fertilizing early enough to allow for hardening off before the Quebec winter.
Moisture
Cool, consistent soil, never waterlogged; atmosphere protected from drying winds
Seasonal care
In spring, inspect the trunk, graft union, root collar, and branches after winter. Replace 5 to 8 cm of mulch without covering the bark, remove tight ties, and water when rain is scarce. In summer, monitor for leaf scorch, aphids, scale insects, leaf spots, and wilting. First, check exposure, humidity, drainage, and compaction. Prune only dead, broken, or crossing wood after leaf expansion, and remove rootstock suckers. In autumn, water deeply before frost when the soil is dry. In winter, keep salted snow away, protect a young trunk from rodents without tightening the guard, and prevent ice accumulation at the root collar. After a storm, have large branches or cracks evaluated by a qualified arborist. Clean tools between trees and note scorch episodes to distinguish recurring stress from a pest problem. At budbreak, compare several branches before concluding that a color change is abnormal. Also inspect the main crotches, crown density, and visible girdling roots. During droughts, water slowly over the entire root zone rather than in small amounts against the trunk. After leaf drop, collect heavily spotted foliage and dispose of it according to local recommendations. Check drainage during snowmelt and remove winter protections before heat accumulates against the bark. Avoid preventative treatments without diagnosis; heat, wind, and water stress often mimic disease.
Bloom and dimensions
Its place,in your garden.
Mature height
10 to 12 ft (3 to 3.6 m)
Width / spread
1.5 to 1.8 m (5 to 6 ft)
Flower color
Reddish to purple, faint
Foliage color
Purple-red with almost black veins in spring; deeper in summer; vibrant orange and red in autumn
Foliage type
Obsolete
Growth rate
Moderate
Growth habit
Erect, broadly spreading and densely branched
Bloom period
Small reddish or purplish flowers appear in drooping clusters in mid-spring. They remain inconspicuous under the highly decorative foliage, but can provide pollen or nectar to active insects. The date varies depending on the Canadian region, exposure, and spring temperature. A late frost can damage flowers and young leaves; therefore, avoid frost pockets and sites exposed to morning sun after a cold night.
Fruiting
Small, winged red samaras may follow the bloom. They add a seasonal detail without being the main attraction. Their abundance varies with maturity, pollination, and weather. Seedlings do not accurately reproduce the characteristics of 'Purple Ghost'; the cultivar is maintained by vegetative propagation. Remove spontaneous seedlings when they appear in an undesirable location. The fruits are not intended for consumption.
Garden associations
In goodcompany.
Companion plants
Pair Purple Ghost with ferns, tiarellas, heucheras, hostas, and sedges suited to cool soil and partial shade. Green conifers or native shrubs with solid foliage offer a calm contrast. Install companion plants without burying the crown and reduce soil disturbance as roots spread. Maintain an open mulched ring to inspect the trunk and water. Avoid highly invasive plants or planting so densely that it blocks air and access. A diversity of blooms and fruits extends the resources available to local wildlife.
Wildlife and pets
Life,around your plants.
Supporting wildlife
Flowers can support insects in spring, samaras can feed certain birds or small mammals, and the crown can offer perches and cover. The ecological value remains modest because this cultivar is not native. Pair it with native shrubs and perennials to diversify pollen, fruits, and habitat while monitoring for spontaneous seedlings.
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