Acer Griseum

27.06.2023 - 08:44 / aberdeengardening.co.uk

Acer Griseum, absolutely outstanding

For ornamental value in the garden the Japanese and Chinese Acer is high on the list of must have plants.Grown for their attractive foliage of red, gold, variegated forms and many with fantastic Autumn colour, it is easy to understand the popularity of this plant.

One superb slow growing Acer which in fact is not so much grown for the leaves (which do in fact turn an outstanding scarlet in Autumn) but for the magnificent peeling bark is Acer Griseum (paper bark maple) The peeling bark is at its best in late Spring and Summer, a rich cinnamon colour, the dark green leaves in Autumn turn first orange to red and scarlet.

Hardiness – Fully hardy

Height – Listed as reaching 30 ft. Although it grows well in Aberdeen, if you plant it when you are 20 it may have reached 20 ft by the time you are 60 years old

Soil – Fertile moist but well drained soil neutral/acid

Position – Full sun/partial shade

This picture of Acer Griseum below was taken when I visited Cruickshanks Botanic gardens last Summer. This is how I would hope to see our one one day.

Listed below are several more Acers which perform extremely well in our garden in Aberdeen.

Acer Palmatum Ozakazuki

Ozakazuki has large deeply lobed pale fresh green leaves in Spring which darken as the Summer progresses. In Autumn, and continuing in to early Winter, expect an outstanding display when the foliage turns fiery red.Grow in moist but well drained fertile soil, in sun or partial shade. Slow growing, expected to reach eight feet after ten years. Eventual height is said to be twenty feet, (I doubt if it would reach that height in Aberdeen)

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Acer Palmatum Atropurpureum

Atropurpureum with its