Acer oliverianum subsp. formosanum

RHS Plant Profile

Oliver's Taiwanese maple

Synonyms

Acer formosanum
Acer serrulatum subsp. formosanum

Trees

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Slow-growing, deciduous tree about 5m tall, much larger in the wild, with smooth greyish-brown bark, dark slender stems and glossy, narrowly, 3-5 lobed, mid-green leaves to 8cm wide and long, with orange to crimson-bronze autumn colour. Spring flowers are yellowish and followed by brown winged fruits in mid autumn

Position

Full sun, Partial shade

Soil Types

Clay, Sand, Loam

Max Height

8-12 metres

Max Spread

4-8 metres

Size

Time to Maturity: 10–20 years
Max Spread: 4-8 metres
Max Height: 8-12 metres

Growing Conditions

Clay Sand Loam

Moisture: Moist but well–drained
pH: Acid or Neutral

Position

Full sun Partial shade

Aspect: East–facing or North–facing or South–facing or West–facing
Exposure: Sheltered
Hardiness

Hardiness Ratings

All ratings refer to the UK growing conditions unless otherwise stated. Minimum temperature ranges (in degrees C) are shown in brackets

H1A: under glass all year (>15C)
H1B: can be grown outside in the summer (10 - 15)
H1C: can be grown outside in the summer (5 - 10)
H2: tolerant of low temperatures, but not surviving being frozen (1 to 5)
H3: hardy in coastal and relatively mild parts of the UK (-5 to 1)
H4: hardy through most of the UK (-10 to -5)
H5: hardy in most places throughout the UK even in severe winters (-15 to -10)
H6: hardy in all of UK and northern Europe (-20 to -15)
H7: hardy in the severest European continental climates (< -20): H6

Colour & Scent

Season	Stem	Flower	Foliage	Fruit
Spring
Summer
Autumn
Winter

Botanical Details

Family: Sapindaceae
Native to GB/Ireland: 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

How to Grow

Cultivation

Grow in any moisture-retentive, well-drained soil with sun or partial shade, sheltered from strong winds. Leaf scorch can be caused by lack of soil moisture or excessive exposure. See tree cultivation

Propagation

Propagate by seed (trees and shrubs), layering in autumn, grafting in late winter or softwood cuttings in early summer

Suggested planting locations and garden types

Cottage and informal garden

Pruning

Pruning group 1, if necessary, from late autumn to midwinter only

Pests

May be susceptible to Acer gall mite, aphids, caterpillars and horse chestnut scale

Diseases

May be susceptible to Verticillium wilt, Acer leaf scorch and honey fungus