Acer sempervirens

RHS Plant Profile

Cretan maple

John Fielding

Other common names

evergreen maple

Synonyms

Acer orientale misapplied
Acer heterophyllum
Acer creticum misapplied

Trees Shrubs

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A slow growing, semi-evergreen, large shrub or small tree, about 7-10m tall, with bright green leaves, paler beneath, variously shaped from rounded entire to 3-lobed, often retained on the tree until late December with occasional autumn tints of yellow to brown. Greenish-yellow flowers with the new leaves in spring are followed by brownish-red winged fruits

Position

Full sun, Partial shade

Soil Types

Chalk, Clay, Loam, Sand

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

Chalk Clay Loam Sand

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

Position

Full sun Partial shade

Aspect: East–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): H5

Colour & Scent

Season	Stem	Flower	Foliage	Fruit
Spring
Summer
Autumn
Winter

Botanical Details

Family: Sapindaceae
Native to GB/Ireland: No
Foliage: Semi evergreen
Habit: Spreading branched
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 fertile, moist but well-drained soil in sun or partial shade. See tree cultivation for further advice

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

City and courtyard gardens
Coastal
Cottage and informal garden
Low Maintenance
Hedging and screens

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