Acer pictum

RHS Plant Profile
painted maple

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Synonyms

Acer cappadocicum var. mono, Acer mono, Acer mono subsp. mono, Acer pictum var. mono

Trees
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A rounded, deciduous tree ultimately about 12m tall, with bright green, almost heart-shaped leaves to15cm long, each with 5 to 7 tapered lobes, the leaves turning yellow in autumn. Greenish-yellow flowers in upright clusters produced in spring are followed by greenish winged fruits in autumn

Position

Full sun, Partial shade

Soil Types

Clay, Loam, Sand

Max Height

8-12 metres

Max Spread

4-8 metres

Size

Time to Maturity
20–50 years
Max Spread
4-8 metres
Max Height
8-12 metres

Growing Conditions

Clay Loam Sand
Moisture
Moist but well–drained
pH
Acid or Alkaline or Neutral

Position

Full sun Partial shade
Aspect
East–facing or West–facing or North–facing or South–facing
Exposure
Exposed or 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
Plant Range
E & N Asia

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, softwood cuttings, layering or by grafting

Suggested planting locations and garden types

  • Patio and container plants
  • Coastal
  • Cottage and informal garden
  • Wildlife gardens

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