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Plant 3 Japanese maples together?

adriennepratt1XavD-ucVadriennepratt1XavD-ucV Posts: 17
in Plants
Hello there, I got lucky with these three beautiful little maples on offer, each a different variety. Wondering if it would be okay to plant them all in the same planter (see photos, probably the bigger one), for a round, varie(gate)d effect?
In addition, would it be awful to actually keep them in their original plastic pots and just place earth around them in the large planter? Reason is that the pots are extremely heavy and I don't plan on staying in this house for too long, so I'd like to be able to keep them more portable for the time being.
Beginner here, no idea of the issues (apart from more frequent watering obviously, and pruning to keep each maple distinct) so be kind! Appreciated.
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  • Balgay.HillBalgay.Hill Posts: 1,089
    Could you plant them together? Yes.
    Would it look good? No.
    Sunny Dundee
  • Silver surferSilver surfer Posts: 4,719
    Balgay.Hill said:
    Could you plant them together? Yes.
    Would it look good? No.
    Agreed.

    Each tree should form a beautiful shape.

    https://www.google.com/search?client=firefox-b-d&sca_esv=557782243&q=acer+palmatum+dissectum&tbm=isch&source=lnms&sa=X&ved=2ahUKEwjo5tW16-OAAxViiv0HHbfVDhQQ0pQJegQICxAB&biw=1280&bih=595&dpr=1.5
    Perthshire. SCOTLAND .
  • adriennepratt1XavD-ucVadriennepratt1XavD-ucV Posts: 17
    Thanks for the responses. I hear you. However, what would you say about my second query, about keeping them in their original pots for the time being? If that were not a disaster for the health of the trees, putting them in the one planter could still be a temporary solution until I next move and then I could plant them out to allow them to mature into a better shape. Plus they are pretty small at this point so I was thinking that planting them close together would have more "visual impact" - again, for the time being? Thanks again.
  • GardenerSuzeGardenerSuze Posts: 5,692
    edited August 2023
    @adriennepratt1XavD-ucV The first thing I would do is check to see if the roots are filling the pots if so they are pot bound and need potting on to the next size up pot. If they are in pots long term a fifty fifty mix of John Innes 2 or 3 and Ericaceous compost is best.  Welcome.
    They are specimen plants that make they best impact either as a single or grouped never in the same pot it will spoil their beauty as mentioned.
    I have worked as a Gardener for 24 years. My latest garden is a new build garden on heavy clay.
  • Joyce GoldenlilyJoyce Goldenlily Posts: 2,933
    If you are planning to move home and take them with you, how about potting them on separately, into slightly larger pots, then sinking them into the open garden for the time being? If the house move is not imminent, it would be wise to lift them each year, continue to repot on an annual basis and return to the garden until you are ready to move. It will give you a chance to see the individual growth and shape of each one. Remember, some acer do grow into substantial  trees. Check the labels for eventual height in 10 years and remember, they will not stop growing at those heights. You are thinking of using them as a floral arrangement rather than growing them as specimens subjects in open ground ground.adriennepratt1XavD-ucV said:
    Hello there, I got lucky with these three beautiful little maples on offer, each a different variety. Wondering if it would be okay to plant them all in the same planter (see photos, probably the bigger one), for a round, varie(gate)d effect?
    In addition, would it be awful to actually keep them in their original plastic pots and just place earth around them in the large planter? Reason is that the pots are extremely heavy and I don't plan on staying in this house for too long, so I'd like to be able to keep them more portable for the time being.
    Beginner here, no idea of the issues (apart from more frequent watering obviously, and pruning to keep each maple distinct) so be kind! Appreciated.

    The pots you have are not suitable for growing any trees in, unless you want to bonsai them. That would be a full time job to keep them alive and growing happily. The Japanese experts tend to their specimen babies on a daily routine of watering, pruning etc. They would need special accommodation in shelters to keep the worst of the weather from them etc. There  are plenty of books on bonsai training which takes many years to achieve, but I do not think that is what you want from these trees.
  • ObelixxObelixx Posts: 30,090
    Give each plant its own pot with enough room for the roots and decent compost as suggested by @GardenerSuze.  You can then group them together as you please and let each one grow to its best size and shape. 

    Make sure they never go thirsty in the growing season and that you pot them on regularly.   Remember also that potting composts only have enough fertilisers for 90 days so you need to feed as well as water.  Something like liquid seaweed fertiliser would be good.

    Some Japanese maples can get very wide so cramming them altogether in one pot is definitely not a good idea and it would have to be so big you''d not be able to lift it.


    Vendée - 20kms from Atlantic coast.
    "The price good men (and women) pay for indifference to public affairs is to be ruled by evil men (and women)."
    Plato
  • adriennepratt1XavD-ucVadriennepratt1XavD-ucV Posts: 17
    Thanks for all the advice, I really appreciate it. On the issue of the pots not being suitable for these maples, could someone clarify why this is? Obviously I see that the pots are wide instead of being deep (they're probably barely deeper than the existing pots the maples are in), but what problems would this create for the trees (assuming just one is planted in each, along with some border plants)? Thanks again.
  • JennyJJennyJ Posts: 10,576
    Shrubs and trees generally want to send their roots down as well as sideways. The "standard" plant pot shape and proportion has developed that way for a reason - it's what suits most things. Your wide shallow pots/bowls might suit low spreading plants like alpines, houseleeks and so on, or small-ish bedding plants, maybe dwarf shrubs like Ceratostigma plumbaginoides or the shrubby Iberis/candytuft or Gaultheria, which don't root as deeply.
    Doncaster, South Yorkshire. Soil type: sandy, well-drained
  • adriennepratt1XavD-ucVadriennepratt1XavD-ucV Posts: 17
    Thanks Jenny, appreciate that! What effects might I expect to see if the trees were only able to send roots sideways, do you know?
  • FairygirlFairygirl Posts: 55,117
    They just won't thrive.
    They'd probably be fine for a season, but the only way they'd suit shallow pots would be if you were constantly root pruning them and growing than as bonsai rather than a proper garden shrub.
    Get some nice pots for the Acers, and use those ones for spring bulbs.
    You need to pot them on gradually, so it can be useful to have a nice pot, but plant the Acers in plastic pots that can fit inside, gradually increasing the size of the inner pot as the Acers grow. It might mean buying a selection of pots at various times. 
    It's a place where beautiful isn't enough of a word....



    I live in west central Scotland - not where that photo is...
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