About

Acer campestre 'Carnival' is a compact, variegated variety of field maple characterized by its broad, creamy white leaf margins. Young leaves exhibit a pinkish-red hue, transitioning to a buttery yellow as autumn approaches.

About the genus

Acer consists of deciduous trees or sizable shrubs featuring pairs of leaves that are frequently palmately lobed. These plants produce small flowers that give way to distinctive winged fruits. Numerous species display vibrant autumn foliage, while certain varieties also exhibit decorative stems.

Growing conditions

Sunlight
Full sun, Partial shade
Soil type
Chalk, Clay, Loam, Sand
Soil pH
Neutral, Acid, Alkaline
Soil moisture
Moist but well-drained
Aspect
East-facing, North-facing, South-facing, West-facing
Exposure
Sheltered
UK hardiness
H6

Plant details

Plant type
Trees
Habit
Bushy
Foliage
Deciduous
Height
8-12 metres
Spread
4-8 metres
Time to full height
10-20 years
Suggested uses
City and courtyard gardens, Coastal, Cottage and informal garden, Wildlife gardens

Care notes

Cultivation
Grow in fertile, moist but well-drained soil in sun or light shade. Suitable for chalky soils. See tree cultivation for further advice
Pruning
Pruning group 1 but prune only from late autumn to midwinter. Can be hard pruned for a neater shape or for larger foliage
Propagation
Propagate by seed in mid to late autumn or spring. Take softwood cuttings in early summer
Pest resistance
May be susceptible to gall mites, aphids, caterpillars and horse chestnut scale
Disease resistance
May be susceptible to tar spot, verticillium wilt and honey fungus