Acer micranthum
(Small-flowered Maple)

Family - Sapindaceae
Category - Tree, shrub
Origin - Japan
Year of Introduction - 1879
Season of Interest - Spring, Summer, Autumn
Hardiness - H6
Height - up to 5m
Width - up to 4m
Location - The Grounds

Description: A large, Deciduous Shrub or small tree with an upright habit and a rounded crown. Slender red stems hold palmately lobed leaves that emerge bright red in spring and turn to mid-green with age. Small, but abundant pale green flowers are held in pendent Racemes and produced in late spring. Acer micranthum is renowned for its vibrant autumn colour that changes from fiery orange to brilliant, rich red. Rare in cultivation.

Award of Garden Merit (AGM).

Flower:

Many, small, pale green flowers are held in pendent racemes and are produced in May. The flowers are followed by small, red samaras. 'Micranthum' means small flowers.

Flower colour: Green

Flower shape: Racemes

Flowering time: May

Foliage:

Relatively small, palmately lobed leaves have five pointed lobes with Dentate margins. The leaves emerge bright red in spring and turn mid-green with age. The leaves are held in opposite pairs on slender, red stems. The foliage turns fiery orange and brilliant, rich red in autumn.

Foliage Senescence: Deciduous

Foliage Shape: Palmately lobed

Autumn Colour: Orange, red

Propagation:

Grafting, seed.

Cultivation:

Best in full sun to partial shade in fertile, moisture retentive soil that is well drained and slightly acidic.