Acer sikkimense
Sikkim maple
A semi-evergreen maple, rare in cultivation suited to the mildest parts of the country. Ultimately to 12m tall, with red young shoots and usually entire, thick-textured leaves to 15cm long, emerging brilliant red in spring, maturing to glossy dark green, then crimson in autumn; clusters of small greenish-yellow spring flowers are followed by pendent racemes of small brown winged fruit
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Size
Ultimate height
8–12 metresTime to ultimate height
10–20 yearsUltimate spread
4–8 metresGrowing conditions
Moisture
Moist but well–drainedpH
Acid, Alkaline, NeutralColour & scent
| Stem | Flower | Foliage | Fruit | |
| Spring | Yellow | Red | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Summer | Green | |||
| Autumn | Red | Brown | ||
| Winter |
Position
- Full sun
- Partial shade
Aspect
East–facing or West–facing or South–facing
Exposure
Exposed or Sheltered Hardiness
H3Botanical details
- Family
- Sapindaceae
- Native to the UK
- No
- Foliage
- Semi 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
- E Himalaya, Sikkim, China
How to grow
Cultivation
Grow in fertile, moist but well-drained soil in sun or partial shade. Suited to frost free, mild counties and sheltered inner city locations only, or initally in containers in a frost free greenhouse. See tree cultivation for further advice
Propagation
Suggested planting locations and garden types
- City and courtyard gardens
- Cottage and informal garden
- Wildlife gardens
- Patio and container plants
- Sub-tropical
- Coastal
- Conservatory and greenhouse
Pruning
Pruning group 1, only from late autumn to mid-winter
Pests
May be susceptible to aphids and scale insects, including horse chestnut scale
Diseases
May be susceptible to Verticillium wilt, Acer leaf scorch and honey fungus
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