Acer davidii 'SELECTION'

Snakebark maple is a distinctive maple species that was discovered in China by Jean Pierre Armand David in 1869. Being quite easy to grow and non-problematic to transplant one wonders why it remains in the group of plants difficult to locate both in garden centres as well as private gardens.

Selection is a seedling of probably Italian origin that has not been given a proper name yet. It differs from the species by larger and distinctly shaped leaves. They are ovate or almost heart shaped with two conspicuous side tips, and change to a fantastic palette of autumn colours. As if they were on fire – everything from rich yellow and golden, to orange and scarlet red. Even the stalks are coloured – they are a bright shade of scarlet-pink. In spring appear 5-7 cm long flower clusters (racemes).

This snakebark maple has picturesque bark with prominent green and creamy white vertical stripes. They are shown well even on young plants. It forms a multi-stemmed tree with a funnel-shaped to oval-shaped crown. It likes moderately fertile, acid, evenly moist soil which will ensure rich autumn colouring. It can be pruned or trimmed from mid to late winter. Hardy to about -29°C (USDA zone 5).

Last update 01-01-2014