Acer pseudoplatanus Leat Cottage - Sycamore Maple

Acer pseudoplatanus 'Leat Cottage' is a variety of Sycamore Maple appreciated for its compact size and foliage that changes colour throughout the seasons. Appearing in spring with a very attractive salmon pink foliage, the palmate leaves then evolve to yellow, and sometimes a light green that can even lean towards white. In autumn, the vegetation takes on orange hues before the leaves fall to the ground. An ideal deciduous tree for small gardens, where it will be highlighted when planted alone on a lawn.

The Maple is the main member of the Aceraceae family (now integrated into Sapindaceae), from which it derives its name (the only other genus being the little-known Dipteronia). The genus Acer includes at least 150 species, mostly trees, and sometimes shrubs, such as the delightful and popular Japanese Maples. Maples are recognised by their double samara fruits (the "helicopters" that amuse children), as well as their opposite leaves. All are deciduous, except for Acer sempervirens. The botanical Acer pseudoplatanus is a large European species reaching up to 30 m in height, and with good longevity (up to 500 years). It is found up to 1500 m altitude in the Alps, growing in fertile, moist soils. While it can develop in sunny exposure, it appreciates the semi-shade provided by forest edges.
'Leat Cottage' is a horticultural variety much more suitable for smaller gardens. This slow-growing, small tree reaches a height of only 4 to 5 m at maturity, forming an initially upright and conical crown, and then a more or less spherical crown with a diameter of 3.50 to 4.50 m, carried by a trunk with grey bark. In spring, the buds stretch before opening to reveal a bunch of small crumpled leaves, with a charming salmon-pink colour. They gradually open to take on their beautiful palmate shape, and their original colour persists for a few weeks. They then gradually evolve to a yellow mixed with pink, and turn into a rather bright whitish green, more or less green depending on the sunlight. The sun intensifies the colours, but can unfortunately cause scorching if it is too strong, so it will be necessary to choose a more or less shaded exposure depending on the region. The palmate leaf blades have five lobes, three main ones and two small lateral ones, and their margins are irregularly toothed. Due to the pale colour of the blade, the veins are clearly visible and enhance the leaf's design. Carried by long petioles, the leaves unfold their balanced proportions almost horizontally, creating pleasant see-through effects. They are variable in size, up to 15 cm in width and length and ornamental all year through to autumn when they take on an orange hue before falling to the ground.

The 'Leat Cottage' Maple will find a place in the smallest gardens thanks to its compact size, and can even be lightly pruned if necessary. Planting it alone on a lawn will allow you to fully appreciate its colour variations against a uniform background. You can also integrate it into a flowerbed, on the edge of large trees, and create beautiful colour contrasts. The year round golden foliage of Philadelphus coronarius 'Kostelec WB' will complement the foliage of your small Maple. This golden Mock Orange will also delight you with its highly fragrant white flowering in June. For a more powerful colour contrast, try Sambucus nigra 'Black lace', an Elderberry with beautifully cut foliage that creates an almost black mass, which will enhance the lighter colours of your small Maple. Its spring pink flowering is also very decorative. Another shrub with changing colours, Cotinus coggygria 'Old Fashioned' will surprise you with its rounded leaves that can be orange and purple or bluish depending on the season, a subtle association with 'Leat's Cottage'.