A very popular cultivar, Acer palmatum Villa Taranto is best described as a small specimen tree. With a natural rounded or dome shaped habit it will reach a height of around 3 metres.
Most good specimens are trained early in the nursery, you can select forms with single trunks or multiple trunks depending of the landscaping situation.
The foliage when mature is heavily dissected, long narrow lobed leaves that appear in spring as a bright orange colour, turning to green by the beginning of summer. Villa Taranto puts on a final color change in autumn with what is best described as a coppery golden yellow.
It does have an interesting habit of putting out wider lobed leaves on very new growth. Those on older growth will be very narrow.
The name comes from the Botanical Gardens of Villa Taranto on the shores of Lake Maggiore around 90 km from Milan.
Landscaping Uses.
Because of its naturally small habit and rounded crown, Villa Taranto is well suited to growing in large courtyards, smaller gardens and also in containers.
It is also useful in larger gardens where because of its size and colours provide a little contrast for the landscaper.
Try underplanting with Liriope muscari, low growing ferns or perennials such as Heuchera.
If you are growing this tree in a pot or container, ensure that the drainage is good. Always more than one drainage hole, and make sure that the container is not sitting directly on the soil or paving. Always use a premium potting mix formulated for trees in containers.
Watering
Not sure when to water – poke your finger down into the soil, if its dry, water, if its wet, don’t water.
Acer palmatum Villa Taranto – Summary Information
- Height – To around 3 metres.
- Spread – will form a crown of 3 metres.
- Soil – Humus rich well drained.
- Position – Best when planted in a position that is protected from the hot afternoon sun.
- Pruning – Generally not required except for removal of any damaged or dead wood.
You can find Acer palmatum Villa Taranto for sale from the following nurseries.
Est. in 1994, we offer over 30 Varieties of quality 2nd year grafted Japanese Maples (Acer palmatum) available for mail order.
www.maplesxmail.com.au
PO Box 6033, Katoomba NSW 2780 - e-mail: k.c.cruickshank1@gmail.com
Heaths and Heathers, Japanese Maples, Andromeda, Anemone nemorosa, Calluna, Erica, Clematis, Daboecia, Gentiana.
www.nurseriesonline.com.au/blue-mountains-flora
