Acer cappadocicum Rubrum - Maple

Acer cappadocicum 'Rubrum' is a variety of Cappadocian Maple, stunning with its changing colours. Its foliage emerges bright purple-red in spring, gradually turning bronze-green in summer, and finally golden-yellow in the autumn. This beautiful, rather slow-growing tree, reaches about 15 m (49 inches 2 feets) in height at maturity, with a spread of 10 m. With a rounded and dense habit, it is best placed in medium to large gardens, either as a specimen or in a group of trees. It can also be used to plant in rows, adorning driveways and borders with its sumptuous colours throughout the year. It thrives in slightly shaded positions, in rich, moist and well-drained soil.

Native to the mountainous forests of the Caucasus in Turkey, the Acer cappadocicum, also known as Cappadocian Maple, belongs to the Aceraceae family. The cultivar 'Rubrum' was bred in 1838 by the German nursery James Booth & Sons. Slow-growing, it will reach an average height of 15 to 20 m and form a canopy of 10 to 15 m (32 inches 10 feets - 49 inches 2 feets) in the garden, if left unpruned. It has a rather spreading, wide and dense habit, with a rounded crown. The waxy foliage of this deciduous maple is composed of large leaves measuring 10 to 15 cm (3.9 - 5.9 in) long, with 5 to 7 lobes. A milky sap often oozes from the leaves in this species. The young foliage emerges bright purple-red in spring, turns bronze-green in summer, and then with the first cold spells of autumn a blazing golden-yellow. The insignificant flowering takes place in spring, at the same time as the leaves emerge. The small flowers are greenish and grouped in corymbs. They are followed by winged fruits, often reddish, called samaras. The wings of this fruit are opposite and perfectly aligned. The bark of Acer cappadocicum is streaked with grey-brown and is very decorative. The branches of young specimens often have a purple-brown bark.

Acer cappadocicum 'Rubrum' is easy to grow as long as it is planted in ordinary, deep, moist, well-drained soil. Be aware that its young leaves tend to scorch if the sun becomes too intense. It is best planted in semi-shade. The Cappadocian Maple will be stunning as a free-standing specimen tree, where you can take advantage of its changing foliage from year to year. It will light up small woodlands where it will love the shade and coolness there, and will be majestic along drives and borders.