Acer griseum
Acer griseum, also called by the name of paperbark maple, has green leaves above but frosty blue-green to gray-green with fine hairs beneath. Fall color varies, typically ranging from showy shades of orange and red to shades of reddish-green to bronze green. Ornamentally insignificant yellowish flowers bloom in April-early May. It is a small, deciduous, oval to oval-rounded tree with slender upright branching. It's bark is orange to cinnamon reddish/brown color an its showy orange to red fall color.It reaches a height of 6 to 12 meter tall.
Flowering period
Planting period
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.
Japanese maple Acer griseum
The paperbark maple from central China is grown above all for its cinnamon-brown bark, which peels away in thin curls and is at its most striking in winter. The trifoliate leaves turn orange to deep red in autumn. It grows slowly into a small, often multi-stemmed tree of around 6 to 10 m.
Location and soil
Prefers fertile, moist but well-drained soil that is neutral to slightly acidic, in sun or partial shade. Choose a spot sheltered from strong winds and avoid dry ground, as this maple does not tolerate drought. Very hardy in Belgian gardens.
Pruning and care
Easy to grow and largely free of pests and diseases. Pruning is rarely needed; every few years, in winter (December to February), remove crossing or badly placed branches to keep the crown balanced. Keep the soil moist during the first summers after planting.
Use in the garden
An ideal specimen tree for small gardens, near a terrace or at the edge of a lawn, where the bark can be admired up close. Underplant with low shade-loving perennials to set off the trunk. Also suitable for parks and woodland gardens.
Characteristics
Botanical
| Family | Sapindaceae |
| Genus | Acer |
| Species | griseum |
Flowering
| Flowering period | may |
| Colour (flower) | yellow, green |
Foliage
| Evergreen | no |
| Colour (foliage) | green |
| Autumn colour | orange, red |
Growth habit
| Height | 500 cm, 1000 cm |
| Trunk/branches | conspicuous |
Location
| Winter hardiness | -30 °C |
| Soil type | neutral |
| Location | sun, half shade |
| Wind resistant | sheltered |
Use
| Type (use) | shrub, tree/standard, multistem |
Care
| Pruning | no |