Acer Trees and Shrubs

From the fall in New England to the lower mountain slopes of Japan, the acer can be found throughout the temperate zones of the northern hemisphere. The Acer genus covers a wide range of species. The sycamore or acer pseudoplatanus is found throughout Europe but is invasive, seeding every year and easily propagated. It is not clear why, but in some years the production of sycamore seeds is much higher than others.

Seeds are a distinct feature of acers. They grow as pairs, a single seed on each end of a wing shape which helps the seed to travel on the wind to further its propagation. Acers are generally easy to grow and can be propagated from these seeds. It should be borne in mind that the resulting appearance might be something of a lottery though less so if the gardener is absolutely sure where the seed originated from. Some acers can be expensive if purchased as a shrub.

While a group of acers in the wild can look stunning, a single specimen can be grown into a very attractive ornamental tree in a small garden. With the autumnal sun shining through the tree’s leaves, the reds, purples, yellows and rust shades of different varieties create stunning effects or can make an attractive background for other plants.

Popular Acer Species

Many varieties exist within the species referred to here, with different color variations within the species. For design purposes in particular, a little research is appropriate. Although the acer palmatum and acer japonicum are the acers most susceptible to damage from frost and strong winds, they are amongst the most popular for gardens. They have bright colors and are easy to grow from seed in the right conditions.

Popular acer species include:

• Acer rubrum is the famous red maple, native to North America and increasingly popular for its rich color in Europe.
• Acer platanoides, the Norway maple, is hardy, grows quickly and is popular due to its color. In wetter areas of the U.S. this has become something of a pest due it having overpowered some of the indigenous maple species.
• Acer tataricum, the amur maple, is popular. More tolerant than most maples of dry conditions, this species is green in summer and crimson in autumn.
• The vine maple or acer circinatum has colorful flowers, and is normally grown as a small tree or a large shrub. Its orange-red leaves in autumn are attractive and this is another acer that will more easily tolerate drier conditions.
• The sugar maple, acer saccharum, with its rich golden leaves is a major component of the fall in New England but this acer is too large for a small garden. It can be part of a larger garden though, on easy-draining soil exposed to the sun.
• Acer japonicum is a very popular garden shrub, yellow in color. It needs neutral or acid soil and any dead wood should be removed in spring to maintain its condition.
• The yellow acer campestre or field maple likes shade and works well as a hedge. It will grow quite tall, usually to about twelve feet high.
• Acer palmatum looks good in small gardens, with its elegant leaves. Though slow-growing, as a tree it can grow tall if allowed. The young trees need a good deal of watering in dry weather until deep roots have formed. The palmatum maple’s slow-growing nature lends itself to containers but again should not be allowed to dry out. Whether in a pot or the garden, acer palmatum is best in a sheltered spot with well-drained soil. It will not grow well, if at all, in alkaline soil. The yellow leaves of acer palmatum sango-kaku make this variety currently very fashionable in the UK.
• An attractive acer for gardens is acer micranthum. Native to Japan and known for many years yet still less common in Europe, it is hardy and normally a lush red color but occasionally pink variations occur. It much prefers acidic soil.

Acer Care

Maples require moist soil and their roots should not be allowed to dry out. They can be started and will grow well in compost, and though there are some variations given the range available, generally partial shade is favoured, especially for a shrub. The acer palmatum in particular should be shaded to prevent scorching of its leaves. Some forms of acer are too vigorous for small areas, as noted about the sycamore above. Neither shrubs or trees have to be pruned unless required for aesthetic purposes. In practice one can simply remove any diseased or dead wood each spring.

Acer Design Ideas

Acers offer tremendous scope for design in gardens. As well as their varied colors, the attractive leaf shapes, usually broad although some narrow-leaved varieties are available and popular, provide opportunity for eye-catching contrasts with other plants. The leaf shape of the acer japonicum is commonly used in this way. More colorful types look good against a plain background. Two examples would be to contrast red maple leaves with green ferns, or position an acer to contrast its colors with euonymus.

Some acers have distinctive bark, for example acer griseum or acer capillipes, the latter sometimes known as the snake bark maple. Contrasting with bright spring and summer flowers while some acers are green in summer is another idea. Magnolias are a popular choice for these types of display. Given the acer’s history in oriental-, Chinese- or Japanese-style gardens, these styles create further ideas for designs. Other alternatives include woodland themes based on the acer’s liking for partial shade, or simply growing smaller shrubs in containers to decorate patios or for use as a movable feature are possible given the wide variety of acers available.