'Leaf peeping', or viewing the autumn colours in New England, is a popular pastime and, having seen them last year for the first time, and it is easy to understand why. In England, it is possible to conjure up a little of the magic by planting deciduous maples, whose autumn colours are magnificent. The Chinese Acer henryi is excellent as it never gets too big (25ft by 30ft) has a pleasing spreading shape and its palmate leaves, made up of three leaflets up to four inches long, turn a brilliant show stopping red in the autumn before they fall. Like all maples, its small green flower racemes that appear in spring and winged fruits that come later play second fiddle to the foliage. This lovely maple will grow in fertile, moist but well drained soil in sun or partial shade.
Propagation: Sow seed in situ or in containers outdoors as soon as ripe. |
Don't be put off by this Chinese maple's almost unpronounceable name. It is a lovely ornamental tree, particularly beautiful in autumn when its leaves turn glorious shades of red and yellow. It's a good choice as a specimen tree in a medium sized garden as it has pleasing light grey bark, attractive foliage, a very pretty outline and doesn't exceed 40ft by 40ft. Its hairy leaves, dark green above and glaucous underneath, are divided into toothed leaflets, five inches long. Maples are happy growing in sun or light shade and are perfect woodland edge trees. Like all of its brothers and sisters, a maximowiczianum should be grown in moist but well drained, fertile soil.
Propagation: Sow seed in situ or in containers outdoors as soon as ripe. |
The vine maple is a North American tree, found from British Columbia to California, and because its wood is so tough, the indigenous Indians used it to make fish hooks. It grows well in shade and, at about 30ft with a 20ft spread, is perfect for smaller gardens. As it grows, its branches twist and turn like a vine (hence its name) and it assumes a bushy, spreading outline. Its bright green leaves have seven or nine lobes and turn fabulous shades of orange and red in autumn. The flowers appear in April as pendant umbels of small purple and white blooms, followed in summer by characteristic winged fruits. For best results grow this maple in moist but well drained, fertile soil.
Propagation: Sow seed in situ or in containers outdoors as soon as ripe. |
