Acer palmatum 'Twombly's Red Sentinel'

TWOMBLY'S RED SENTINEL JAPANESE MAPLE
syn. n/a
Family: Aceraceae
Pronounced: AY-ser pal-MAY-tum

 

Quick Jumps

Growing Guide
Rainy Side Notes

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GROWING GUIDE

Origin:
Garden.
Plant Group:
Trees.
Hardiness:
Sunset zones: Sunset zones: 1-10,12,14-24.
USDA zones: 6-8.
Mature size:
Height: 10-15 feet tall (3-4.5 m).
Width: 6-8 feet wide (2-2.5 m).
Flowering period:
Spring
Flowering attributes:
Clusters of tiny, purplish flowers are followed by mini, bright red maple keys that hang on to the tree for several months.
Leaf attributes:
Five narrow-lobed, burgundy leaves, that begin as red in spring and turn scarlet red in fall.
Growth habit
Columnar
Light:
Partial to full sun
Soil:
Partially acidic, moist, well-drained soil.
Feeding:
Side dressing with compost. Provide a complete organic fertilizer in spring.
Pruning Methods:
Prune to shape in winter.
Pests and Diseases:
Some pests that could be problems are aphids, scale insects, and caterpillars. Possible disease problems are Verticillium wilt, tar spot, leaf spot and root rot.

 

Rainy Side Notes

If you love the drama of bold color and you have a small or narrow garden space, consider planting the columnar maple Twombly's Red Sentinel. The slender tree fits into tight spaces where it adds a dramatic exclamation point. A Ken Twombly introduction, and the only columnar Japanese maple, grows 10 to 15 feet tall by six to eight feet wide.

This drama queen's renowned foliage emerges bright red in the spring and darkens to burgundy hues as the season progresses. In autumn, the leaves turn a brilliant scarlet-red hue. To top off the tree's spectacular three seasons of fantastic foliage, after the leaves fall the bare stems are an attention-grabbing red in winter.

A sport from another maple — Acer palmatum var. atropurpureum 'Bloodgood' — A. 'Twombly's Red Sentinel' adorns itself with attractive leaves during the growing season and exciting bark for the winter, the tree adapts to growing in containers.

I grew my first one in the garden, and underplanted with bulbs and the sedge Carex 'Bowles Golden'. I left the tree when I moved, but now have another one growing in a large container, where the tree will thrive for many years to come.

This small tree can spice up that boring side yard where you planted everything in extra-long rows on either side of the path. Consider changing that bowling-alley-path into a gentle curve, and place the tree in the broadest part of the garden to break up the long, narrow space. Go on I dare you.

Debbie Teashon
Photographed in author's garden.