Japanese maples should be flourishing with brilliant hues during summer, yet these fragile trees may shed their foliage prematurely without adequate irrigation. Gardeners must remain vigilant with their Japanese maples when temperatures soar, as their shallow root systems can struggle to preserve moisture.

Thankfully, this problem can be tackled. With plentiful sunlight, the soil around Japanese maples experiences rapid dehydration, leaving their leaves susceptible to sun damage. Neglect could lead to foliage curling, browning, and dropping off, rendering the tree leafless throughout the summer months.

However, Kiersten Rankel from Greg, a plant care expert, has highlighted that maintaining your Japanese maple properly hydrated during scorching conditions is simple when you utilise mulch.

Kiersten said: "Summer's heat demands vigilance. Your tree's not just surviving; it's trying to thrive. Deep, less frequent watering beats shallow daily sips.

"Mulch is your ally, keeping roots cool and moist. Remember, a well-watered maple won't throw shade but will surely appreciate it."

The technique of mulching, distributing organic matter across the surface layer of a plant's soil not only feeds it but during hotter spells, it also functions as a water reservoir.

This retained moisture from the mulch gradually seeps into the earth, ensuring the Japanese maples stay sufficiently watered and vigorous, thus continuing to showcase their spectacular scarlet leaves all summer long.

Applying a layer of mulch around Japanese maples can help protect the leaves from scorching and also aids in weed prevention, thus reducing one less gardening chore this summer.

Mulches that are capable of retaining a substantial amount of water yet remain lightweight are typically the best choice for Japanese maples, such as pine bark, wood chips, garden compost or leaf moulds.

It's best to steer clear of nitrogen-rich mulches like cow manure, as they promote excessive growth, which can put stress on Japanese maples during hot weather when they need to conserve energy.

When spreading mulch, ensure an even, thin layer is applied around the tree and kept away from the trunk, as too much can obstruct the roots' ability to breathe.

After you've mulched your Japanese maples, it's important to thoroughly soak the soil once a week to help the tree stay cool throughout the warm weather.

If you properly mulch and deeply water your Japanese maples, their leaves should stay a vibrant red all summer long, allowing you to enjoy a flourishing garden without the need to fuss with a watering can.