Acer 'Ample Surprise' (PBR)
The ?Ample Surprise? has red shoots and keeps its beautiful appearance until late in the autumn. Growth is fairly compact and he can be pruned annually if desired. As a solitaire in the garden, as a spherical shape on stem and even as a hedge. In winter the plant shows its dark, almost black, branches. The ?Ample Surprise? Maple loves any soil type and can be planted in every place.
About this plant
Maple Acer
Maples (Acer) form a large genus of trees and shrubs, nearly all from the northern hemisphere and many from China. They range from small multi-stemmed trees to large shade trees. Their opposite, usually lobed leaves, colourful young growth, winged fruits and above all their fiery autumn colours make them garden classics.
Location and soil
Maples grow best in sun or partial shade, in deep, fertile soil that stays moist but drains well. Many species accept lime, but the snakebark maples prefer lime-free, humus-rich soil. Most are very hardy and need no winter protection.
Pruning and care
Plant preferably in autumn and keep the soil moist during the first two summers; a mulch layer helps. Maples need little pruning: remove dead or crossing branches between December and February or in June, but never in early spring, when the sap rises and cuts bleed. They are rarely troubled by pests or diseases.
Use in the garden
Depending on the species, maples serve as a specimen tree on a lawn, a shade tree near the house, a street or avenue tree, in a free-growing or clipped hedge, or in a mixed shrub border. The snakebark maples deserve a prominent spot where their bark can be enjoyed in winter.
Characteristics
Botanical
| Family | Sapindaceae |
| Genus | Acer |
| Cultivar | 'Ample Surprise' |
Foliage
| Evergreen | no |
| Colour (foliage) | red |
| Autumn colour | red |
Growth habit
| Height | 150 cm |
Location
| Winter hardiness | -30 °C |
| Location | sun, half shade |
| Soil moisture | normal |
Use
| Type (use) | shrub |