Fortunately, according to horticultural specialists at Plant Addicts, watering Japanese maples in late summer needn't be complicated – provided you steer clear of afternoon watering sessions. View 4 Images Japanese maples never shed their leave if a 10-minute task is done at the right time in August (Image: Getty)They explained: "The best time of the day to water Japanese maples is during the morning, which allows plenty of time for the roots to soak up the water. Watering Japanese maples in the evening is feasible, though without any evaporation occurring, foliage remains damp through the night, potentially inviting fungal issues and attracting nuisances such as slugs. The absolute best time to water Japanese maples is in the morning before 9am to 10am, when cooler soil temperatures allow proper water absorption. Dedicating just 10 minutes each morning to watering Japanese maples maximises their resilience against challenging summer conditions and ensures they'll look magnificent when autumn rolls around in late September.