About
Acer campestre 'Royal Ruby' is a deciduous tree that typically reaches heights of 8 to 10 meters. It has a rounded, spreading form. The leaves are palmate and consist of five lobes, starting as red-purple in spring before transitioning to dark green in the summer. In autumn, they display a rich golden-yellow hue with red undertones. This variety produces green flowers in the spring, which are succeeded by winged fruits that mature to a red color.
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
- Clay, Loam, Sand, Chalk
- Soil pH
- Acid, Alkaline, Neutral
- Soil moisture
- Moist but well-drained
- Aspect
- East-facing, North-facing, South-facing, West-facing
- Exposure
- Exposed, Sheltered
- UK hardiness
- H6
Plant details
- Plant type
- Trees
- Habit
- Spreading branched
- Foliage
- Deciduous
- Height
- 8-12 metres
- Spread
- 4-8 metres
- Time to full height
- 10-20 years
- Suggested uses
- Coastal, Cottage and informal garden, Wildlife gardens
Care notes
- Cultivation
- Grow in fertile, moist but well-drained soil in sun or partial shade. Ideal for chalk soils. See tree cultivation for further advice
- Pruning
- Pruning group 1, if necessary, from late autumn to midwinter only
- Propagation
- Propagate by grafting in late winter or softwood cuttings in early summer
- Pest resistance
- May be susceptible to Acer gall mite, aphids, caterpillars and horse chestnut scale
- Disease resistance
- May be susceptible to coral spot, Verticillium wilt, Acer leaf scorch and honey fungus