This Japanese maple variety thrives in USDA zones 5 through 9 and holds its bright green color from spring through summer before bursting into a finale of gold, orange, and red in fall. 'Viridis ...

So, rather than watching your maple wilt in the hot summer sun, we're here to help. We've found 12 essential tips that will ensure your maple tree keeps that brilliant foliage lush for years to come.

Among the yellows, Summer Gold and Hot Blonde can handle Zone 8 full sun. “We like to break the mold on the traditional zones people think of with Japanese maples,” Tim Nichols said.

Like some Japanese maples, the 'Golden Globe' unfurls with leaves of palest pink, which then morph into spring gold. It's foliage is green and yellow during the summer, then gilds in the fall.

Japanese maples are not heavy feeders, so don’t feed more than three times a year, and use only organics. We like a plant food designed especially for Japanese maples, a 4-8-5 by Smart Organics Co.

A: If you prune selectively, almost any time is the right time to prune a Japanese maple. With that said, these maples are most easily pruned in winter or summer.

Question: The leaves on my Japanese maple tree used to be sort of purple earlier this summer and they are faded. I'm also concerned that the leaves have brown edges. -- Kim Minor ...

Q. I bought a small “Bloodgood” Japanese maple tree this spring in a 3-gallon pot but forgot to plant it until late June. After the wet spring, I was amazed that the soil in the garden was so dry.

Japanese maple trees are adored for their diversity of leaf colour and form. Sadly, some new gardeners are disappointed, finding that their plant does not thrive and that although they begin the ...