Acer elegantulum
elegant maple
A tree which can reach heights of around 15m but generally no higher than 5m in cultivation, with delicate, papery 5-lobed palmate leaves, with the three central lobes much longer than the side lobes. The leaves emerge a light purple, before turning green in summer and then developing orange-red hues in autumn. Best grown in a very sheltered location or against a wall
Size
Ultimate height
8–12 metresTime to ultimate height
10–20 yearsUltimate spread
2.5–4 metresGrowing conditions
Moisture
Moist but well–drainedpH
NeutralColour & scent
| Stem | Flower | Foliage | Fruit | |
| Spring | Green | Green Purple | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Summer | Green | |||
| Autumn | Orange Red | |||
| Winter |
Position
- Full sun
- Partial shade
Aspect
East–facing or South–facing or West–facing
Exposure
Sheltered Hardiness
H4Botanical details
- Family
- Sapindaceae
- Native to the UK
- No
- Foliage
- Deciduous
- Habit
- Bushy
- Genus
Acer can be deciduous trees or large shrubs with paired, often palmately-lobed leaves and small flowers followed by characteristic winged fruits. Many have fine autumn colour, and some have ornamental stems
- Name status
Correct
- Plant range
- China
How to grow
Cultivation
Grow in a sheltered, fertile, moist but well-drained soil in full sun or part shade. See Japanese maple cultivation for further advice
Propagation
Propagate by seed in mid to late autumn or spring. Take softwood cuttings in early summer
Suggested planting locations and garden types
- City and courtyard gardens
- Patio and container plants
Pruning
Pruning group 1 but prune only from late autumn to midwinter
Pests
May be susceptible to aphids and horse chestnut scale
Diseases
May be susceptible to Verticillium wilt, acer leaf scorch and honey fungus
Get involved
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