Acer rubrum 'October Glory'
(Red Maple 'October Glory')
Family - Sapindaceae
Category - Tree
Year of Introduction - 1964
Season of Interest - Spring, Summer, Autumn
Hardiness - H6
Height - up to 10m
Width - up to 4m
Location - The Grounds
Description: A medium-sized Deciduous tree with a rounded to pyramidal crown. Glossy dark green leaves are palmately lobed with 3-5 lobes. The leaves are glaucous on the undersides. Small red flowers are held in clusters along the branches and produced in early to mid-spring before the leaves have emerged. The flowers are followed by red-tinged, winged fruit (samaras). This tree is usually grown for the brilliant red and orange shades the leaves turn in autumn before falling.
Award of Garden Merit (AGM).
Flower:
Small red flowers are produced in clusters along the branches in March and April before the leaves emerge. Red-tinged samaras (winged fruit) follow the flowers.
Flower colour: Red
Flower shape: Small flowers in clusters
Flowering time: March, April
Foliage:
Glossy dark green leaves are palmately lobed with 3-5 lobes. The leaves are glaucous on the undersides. The leaves are held in opposite pairs on the brittle branches. If planted in acidic soil, the leaves turn fiery shades of red and orange.
Foliage Senescence: Deciduous
Foliage Shape: Palmately lobed
Autumn Colour: Red, orange
Propagation:
Grafting.
Cultivation:
Best in full sun to partial shade in fertile, moisture-retentive soil that is well-drained. The autumn colour is more pronounced when grown in acidic soil.