Will Japanese Maples Grow in Zone 3?
Naturally cold hardy, Japanese maple trees are a good choice for zone 3 landscapes. You may have a problem with late freezes killing buds that have begun to open, however. Insulating the soil with deep mulch can help hold the cold in, delaying the end of the dormancy period. Fertilizing and pruning encourage growth spurts. When growing a Japanese maple in zone 3, delay these activities until you are certain there won’t be another hard freeze to kill back new growth. Avoid growing Japanese maples in containers in zone 3. The roots of container-grown plants are more exposed than those of trees planted in the ground. This makes them susceptible to cycles of freezing and thawing.
Zone 3 Japanese Maple Trees
Japanese maples thrive in zone 3 once established. Here is a list of suitable trees for these very cold climates: If you’re looking for a small tree, you can’t miss Beni Komanchi. The name means ‘beautiful red-haired little girl,’ and the six-foot (2 m.) tree sports pretty red leaves from spring until fall. Johin has thick, red leaves with a hint of green in the summer. It grows 10 to 15 feet (3 to 4.5 m.) tall. Katsura is a beautiful, 15-foot (4.5 m.) tree with pale green leaves that turn bright orange in the fall. Beni Kawa has dark green leaves that turn gold and red in fall, but its main attraction is the bright red bark. The red color is striking against a snowy backdrop. It grows about 15 feet (4.5 m.) tall. Known for its brilliant crimson fall color, Osakazuki can reach a height of 20 feet (6 m.). Inaba Shidare has lacy, red leaves that are so dark that they almost look black. It grows quickly to reach its maximum height of five feet (1.5 m.).
