Acer tataricum subsp. ginnala Bailey Compact - Maple

Acer ginnala 'Bailey Compact' is one of the easiest maples to grow, regardless of the climate. This compact form of the Amur maple forms a large, bushy, rounded shrub, as wide as it is tall, which will thrive in gardens of all sizes, whether planted individually or in a free hedge. Another major advantage of this variety is its small foliage, which is a bright green colour and turns rich shades of yellow, orange, and scarlet red in the autumn, and is adorned with winged fruits in a beautiful red hue. It will thrive in a sunny exposure, and prefers well-drained soil, without excess limestone.

Acer tataricum subsp. ginnala is the maple with the most extensive east-west distribution area, from Austria to the far eastern reaches of Siberia. This species is also known as the Manchurian maple, Tartary maple, or Siberian maple, as it is widespread in these regions. This extremely vast distribution area is indicative of the adaptation capabilities of this small maple to varied and often harsh environments and climates, with alternating cold winters and dry summers.

The cultivar 'Bailey Compact', selected in the USA, stands out for its more compact habit and reduced growth. It is a beautiful, bushy shrub, with fairly rapid growth, reaching an average maturity of 2.50 m (8.2 ft) in all directions. The basal branches split into thin, arching stems resembling canes. The deciduous leaves are opposite, 5 cm to 10 cm (2 in to 3.9 in) long, deeply divided, with irregularly dentate margins, and are a shiny dark green colour. In autumn, the foliage turns yellow-orange and finally bright red, before falling fairly quickly. In June, discreet clusters of fragrant, cream-white flowers, 3 cm (1.2 in) long, bloom and then give way to winged fruits that are initially red to pink, then brown, and remain decorative for a long time. The bark of this maple is a greyish-brown colour, striated somewhat like that of serviceberries. Under optimal growing conditions, this shrub can live up to 150 years.

An excellent shrub for a free hedge, 'Bailey Compact' is perfect when planted individually in a small garden, amidst a bed of evergreen shrubs or perennials that provide winter presence. It can be paired with Teucrium chamaedrys, Iberis sempervirens, Ophiopogon, creeping euonymus, or Bergenia. In a free hedge, there are numerous possibilities: plant alonside Cotinus, deciduous euonymus, Indigofera gerardiana, spring or Japanese spiraeas, viburnums, Neilia affinis, and many others. It can also be planted in front of large trees to create an intermediate vegetal screen. This shrub, often grown as a standard in gardens, can also be trained as a bonsai.

Tip: Prune every 3 to 5 years to balance the branches and maintain a harmonious habit.