Acer cordatum

RHS Plant Profile

cordate maple

Shrubs Trees

Multi-stemmed, evergreen tree about 10m tall, with smooth grey bark, and leathery dark green 2-3 lobed leaves, grey-green beneath, and 6-8cm long, Yellowish-green spring flowers are followed by brownish-yellow winged fruits in 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: 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): H3

Colour & Scent

Season	Stem	Flower	Foliage	Fruit
Spring
Summer
Autumn
Winter

Botanical Details

Family: Sapindaceae
Native to GB/Ireland: No
Foliage: Deciduous, Evergreen
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

In frost-free areas grow in moisture-retentive, well-drained neutral to acid soil with sun or partial shade. In frost prone areas grow in a container and overwinter in a conservatory or frost-free greenhouse. See tree cultivation and container 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

Architectural
City and courtyard gardens
Cottage and informal garden
Patio and container plants
Sub-tropical
Conservatory and greenhouse

Pruning

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

Pests

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

Diseases

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