Amur Maple
Amur maple grows naturally as a multi-stemmed, irregular, upright shrub or small tree. Creamy white flowers bloom in small, fragrant clusters in April to May, then develop into pink, winged seed capsules (samaras).
During the summer, amur maple has shiny green, three-lobed leaves with rippled edges. Its fall leaf color can be quite spectacular, and is most often a bright red, sometimes yellow.
This plant is adaptable to the varied conditions found in the Colorado Springs area, but may develop chlorosis in alkaline soils. Specimens may be pruned to grow as a multi-stemmed plant or a single-stemmed tree.
Amur Maple
Amur maple grows naturally as a multi-stemmed, irregular, upright shrub or small tree. Creamy white flowers bloom in small, fragrant clusters in April to May, then develop into pink, winged seed capsules (samaras).
During the summer, amur maple has shiny green, three-lobed leaves with rippled edges. Its fall leaf color can be quite spectacular, and is most often a bright red, sometimes yellow.
This plant is adaptable to the varied conditions found in the Colorado Springs area, but may develop chlorosis in alkaline soils. Specimens may be pruned to grow as a multi-stemmed plant or a single-stemmed tree.
Plant details
Botanic Name
Acer ginnala
Pronunciation
AY-ser jin-NAY-luh
Mature Height
15 to 20 ft.
Mature Spread
15 to 18 ft.
Water usage
One Droplet: Water twice per month or less, once established.
Two Droplets: Water about once per week, once established.
Three Droplets: Water about twice per week, once established.
Flower Color
white or cream
Bloom time
spring
Colorado Native
No
Natural Habitat
Central and northern China, Japan
Light Requirements
sun
Cold Hardiness
USDA zones 3-7
Elevation Limit
hardy to 8,500 ft.
Performance
At the Water Wise Demonstration Garden, amur maple is located in the moderate water zone and has performed very well.
It has a spreading canopy, becoming quite wide over time. Fall color varies a great deal between individual trees, from red to yellow.
For sites with very alkaline soils, consider planting tatarian maple instead of amur maple to avoid problems with iron chlorosis.
Maintenance
It's important to prune amur maple when young so it achieves the desired shape when mature. Through pruning, shape it into either a multi-stemmed or a single-stemmed plant. Prune out dead and damaged branches as necessary. Aphids can be rinsed off of the leaves of young plants with a hose.