About
Acer laurinum is a sizable tropical evergreen that can reach heights of around 30 meters in its native habitat. In British gardens, however, it typically develops into a smaller tree or a large shrub, thriving best in the mildest regions. The young foliage showcases a coppery-red hue that transitions to a glossy green as it matures, with leaves measuring up to 17 centimeters long and featuring a silvery-grey underside. From mid-summer to early autumn, this tree produces yellowish flowers, which are succeeded by winged fruits that take on a yellow-brown color and persist until early winter.
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
- Soil type
- Sand, Loam
- Soil pH
- Acid, Alkaline, Neutral
- Soil moisture
- Moist but well-drained, Well-drained
- Aspect
- South-facing, West-facing
- Exposure
- Sheltered
- UK hardiness
- H3
Plant details
- Plant type
- Shrubs, Trees
- Habit
- Bushy
- Foliage
- Evergreen
- Height
- Higher than 12 metres
- Spread
- wider than 8 metres
- Time to full height
- 20-50 years
- Suggested uses
- Architectural, Cottage and informal garden, Sub-tropical
Care notes
- Cultivation
- Grow in a fertile, moist but well-drained soil in full sun with shelter from cold winds. Suitable for frost-free locations only. Can be grown short-term in a container and overwintered in a frost-free greenhouse or conservatory
- Pruning
- Very little to no pruning required. For more advice refer to pruning group 1.
- Propagation
- Propagate by seed (trees and shrubs), layering in autumn, 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 Verticillium wilt, Acer leaf scorch and honey fungus