Autumn Colour Trees

Acer palmatum dissectum, commonly known as the laceleaf Japanese maple, is a popular ornamental tree renowned for its intricate, finely divided foliage. This deciduous shrub or small tree is part of the Aceraceae family and originates from Japan, Korea, and China. It typically grows to a height of 2 to 3 meters (6 to 10 feet) with a similar spread, making it a perfect choice for small gardens and container planting.

The leaves of Acer palmatum dissectum are deeply lobed and serrated, resembling delicate lace. Throughout the seasons, the foliage transitions from a vibrant green in spring and summer to spectacular shades of red, orange, and purple in autumn, providing year-round interest. The tree's cascading, weeping habit adds an elegant and graceful element to any landscape design.

Acer palmatum dissectum prefers a position in partial shade with well-drained, moist soil. It is relatively low-maintenance, requiring minimal pruning to maintain its shape. This tree is also known for its resilience to pests and diseases. Its compact size and striking appearance make it an excellent choice for adding structure and color to garden borders, patios, and rockeries in British gardens.

Acer palmatum ‘Inosukaza’ is an excellent choice for gardeners seeking a graceful, fine-textured ornamental tree that brings year-round interest to a variety of landscape styles. Its deeply dissected green leaves and naturally cascading, airy branching structure give it a soft, elegant appearance that works beautifully as a feature plant in small to medium gardens. Although visually delicate, it is generally hardy and adaptable, thriving in temperate climates where it receives protection from harsh afternoon sun and drying winds.

This cultivar prefers partial shade, especially in hotter regions, where filtered light helps prevent leaf scorch and maintains vibrant summer color. It also performs well in lightly dappled woodland settings, Japanese-inspired gardens, and courtyard plantings. With its moderate growth rate and compact habit, ‘Inosukaza’ is suitable for planting near patios, water features, or pathways where its intricate leaf shape can be appreciated up close.

In autumn, the foliage transforms into warm tones of yellow, orange, or soft red, adding seasonal drama without overwhelming surrounding plants. It is best grown in moist, well-drained, slightly acidic soil rich in organic matter. With consistent watering and gentle shelter, Acer palmatum ‘Inosukaza’ rewards gardeners with refined beauty and reliable performance.

Acer japonicum 'Aconitifolium', commonly known as the Fernleaf Full Moon Maple, is a stunning deciduous tree cherished for its striking foliage and remarkable autumn display. Native to Japan, this variety is celebrated for its deeply lobed, fern-like leaves which provide a delicate, lacy texture that adds a unique aesthetic to any garden.

In spring and summer, the leaves emerge with a soft green hue, creating a serene and refreshing presence. As the seasons transition to autumn, 'Aconitifolium' truly shines. Its foliage transforms into a spectacular array of vibrant reds, oranges, and yellows, making it one of the most brilliant autumnal displays among maples. This transformation adds a dynamic and fiery focal point to gardens, capturing the essence of the changing seasons.

'Aconitifolium' typically reaches a height and spread of 3 to 4 meters, making it suitable for smaller gardens as well as larger landscapes. It thrives in well-drained, moist soil and prefers partial shade, although it can tolerate full sun if provided with adequate moisture. Its compact size and slow growth rate make it an excellent choice for urban gardens, patios, and container planting.

This maple is not only admired for its foliage but also for its elegant, spreading habit and attractive branching structure, which provide year-round interest. Whether as a specimen tree or part of a mixed border, Acer japonicum 'Aconitifolium' brings a touch of elegance and seasonal drama to any garden setting in the UK.

Ginkgo biloba is known as a “living fossil”, one of the oldest tree species. It’s a large, long-lived, coniferous, deciduous tree with deeply grooved, grey-brown bark and thick, fan-shaped, bi-lobed, green leaves that turn yellow in autumn. Ginkgo has either male catkins or female single flowers on long stems. Female plants bear unpleasantly scented plum-like fruits, which are actually hard seeds with silvery yellow seed coats.

Ginkgo biloba grows in a wide variety of soils, except too wet and waterlogged, but prefers average, medium moisture, sandy, well-drained soils, in full sun. Once established, it is tolerant of heat, salt, and urban pollution. Generally, disease-free and pest-free. Ginkgo biloba is a perfect specimen plant for large gardens. Great as a shade tree, lawn tree, or planted in espaliers. Very good for streets and parks. Slower-growing varieties are suitable for growing in containers. While young, the crown can be trimmed and trained as desired.

Acer japonicum 'Aconitifolium', commonly known as the Fernleaf Full Moon Maple, is a stunning deciduous tree cherished for its striking foliage and remarkable autumn display. Native to Japan, this variety is celebrated for its deeply lobed, fern-like leaves which provide a delicate, lacy texture that adds a unique aesthetic to any garden.

In spring and summer, the leaves emerge with a soft green hue, creating a serene and refreshing presence. As the seasons transition to autumn, 'Aconitifolium' truly shines. Its foliage transforms into a spectacular array of vibrant reds, oranges, and yellows, making it one of the most brilliant autumnal displays among maples. This transformation adds a dynamic and fiery focal point to gardens, capturing the essence of the changing seasons.

'Aconitifolium' typically reaches a height and spread of 3 to 4 meters, making it suitable for smaller gardens as well as larger landscapes. It thrives in well-drained, moist soil and prefers partial shade, although it can tolerate full sun if provided with adequate moisture. Its compact size and slow growth rate make it an excellent choice for urban gardens, patios, and container planting.

This maple is not only admired for its foliage but also for its elegant, spreading habit and attractive branching structure, which provide year-round interest. Whether as a specimen tree or part of a mixed border, Acer japonicum 'Aconitifolium' brings a touch of elegance and seasonal drama to any garden setting in the UK.

Acer palmatum 'Inaba-Shidare' is a sought-after Japanese Maple variety known for its remarkable, intricate foliage and distinctive growth habit. This particular specimen sports an 80cm clear stem, supporting a weeping head, bringing the overall height of the tree to 110cm. It epitomizes graceful elegance with its cascading branches cloaked in deeply dissected, feather-like leaves. The leaves are a striking purplish-red, intensifying to a brilliant crimson come autumn, offering a vibrant spectacle. It is relatively compact, making it a superb choice for smaller gardens or growing in containers. It’s well-suited to creating focal points within landscapes, providing both visual appeal and architectural structure. Its rugged charm is highlighted when placed against a backdrop of evergreens or contrasting foliage, where its intricate silhouette becomes a living sculpture. A lover of well-drained, fertile soils and partial shade, ‘Inaba-Shidare’ requires protection from harsh winds and excessive sun to maintain the integrity of its delicate foliage. During winter, its dormant, twisted limbs add an additional layer of interest, hinting at its robust nature beneath a seemingly delicate demeanor. This exquisite blend of strength and beauty makes the Acer palmatum 'Inaba-Shidare' a beloved addition to diverse horticultural designs.

Ginkgo biloba is known as a “living fossil”, one of the oldest tree species. It’s a large, long-lived, coniferous, deciduous tree with deeply grooved, grey-brown bark and thick, fan-shaped, bi-lobed, green leaves that turn yellow in autumn. Ginkgo has either male catkins or female single flowers on long stems. Female plants bear unpleasantly scented plum-like fruits, which are actually hard seeds with silvery yellow seed coats.

Ginkgo biloba grows in a wide variety of soils, except too wet and waterlogged, but prefers average, medium moisture, sandy, well-drained soils, in full sun. Once established, it is tolerant of heat, salt, and urban pollution. Generally, disease-free and pest-free.

Ginkgo biloba is a perfect specimen plant for large gardens. Great as a shade tree, lawn tree, or planted in espaliers. Very good for streets and parks. Slower-growing varieties are suitable for growing in containers. While young, the crown can be trimmed and trained as desired.

Ginkgo biloba is known as a “living fossil”, one of the oldest tree species. It’s a large, long-lived, coniferous, deciduous tree with deeply grooved, grey-brown bark and thick, fan-shaped, bi-lobed, green leaves that turn yellow in autumn. Ginkgo has either male catkins or female single flowers on long stems. Female plants bear unpleasantly scented plum-like fruits, which are actually hard seeds with silvery yellow seed coats.

Ginkgo biloba grows in a wide variety of soils, except too wet and waterlogged, but prefers average, medium moisture, sandy, well-drained soils, in full sun. Once established, it is tolerant of heat, salt, and urban pollution. Generally, disease-free and pest-free. Ginkgo biloba is a perfect specimen plant for large gardens. Great as a shade tree, lawn tree, or planted in espaliers. Very good for streets and parks. Slower-growing varieties are suitable for growing in containers. While young, the crown can be trimmed and trained as desired.

Acer rubrum ‘Armstrong Gold’ is a striking, upright selection of the red maple, valued for its refined form, vibrant seasonal color, and adaptability to urban conditions. This cultivar develops a strong, columnar habit with a narrow canopy, typically reaching 40 to 50 feet tall and 12 to 16 feet wide at maturity. Its tidy silhouette makes it an excellent choice for streetscapes, parking lots, or smaller residential landscapes where space is limited but vertical impact is desired.

In spring, the tree produces clusters of inconspicuous red flowers before leaf emergence, adding subtle early-season interest. The leaves unfold bright green and remain fresh through summer, then transform into brilliant shades of golden-orange to red in autumn, creating a dazzling display of color. The bark is smooth and gray, adding winter appeal and contrast.

‘Armstrong Gold’ thrives in full sun and moist, well-drained soil but tolerates a range of urban conditions, including compacted or slightly alkaline soils. It is also relatively low-maintenance, pest-resistant, and adaptable, making it a dependable choice for both aesthetic and functional landscape use.

Acer rubrum 'Redpointe' ('Frank Junior') is medium-sized, fast-growing, upright, oval to pyramidal, vigorous, deciduous tree. It has palmate, lobed, glossy dark green leaves that become beautifully vivid bright red in autumn. Red flowers in small umbrellas show up in March and are followed by winged nuts, samaras, in autumn. Perfect as a large specimen or shade tree, nice-looking when planted in groups.

Redpointe Red Maple is an American variety of red maple cultivated for planting in cities as street or park trees. It prefers slightly acidic, well-drained soil. In calcareous soil, it will stagnate and its autumn colour will be less intense. It prefers full sun, but tolerates partial shade. Resistant to frost, moderately to winds, it doesn’t like salt and sea winds, therefore, it is not suitable for coasts. It was developed and introduced to market by Keith S. Warren from J. Frank Schmidt & Son Co. nursery in Oregon, USA.

The Acer rubrum 'Summer Red,' also known as the Red Maple 'Summer Red,' is a splendid ornamental tree ideally suited for the UK market. This deciduous tree, native to North America, boasts remarkable features that make it a valuable addition to British gardens.

The 'Summer Red' Red Maple typically attains a height of 12-15 meters (40-50 feet) with a slightly narrower spread, making it suitable for medium to large gardens and public spaces. Its canopy forms a broadly oval shape, offering ample shade and a striking presence in the landscape.

One of the most captivating attributes of the 'Summer Red' Red Maple is its vibrant summer foliage. Throughout the warmer months, its leaves adorn a lush green hue, creating a pleasant and cooling effect in the garden. This enduring greenery enhances the tree's appeal, providing a soothing contrast to the typical British green landscape.

In the UK's climate, the 'Summer Red' Red Maple proves adaptable. It thrives in full sun to partial shade, making it versatile for diverse garden environments. While it prefers well-drained soil, it can tolerate occasional damp conditions, which align with the UK's variable weather patterns. This adaptability to different soil types and moisture levels contributes to its suitability for UK gardens.

Furthermore, the 'Summer Red' Red Maple is reasonably cold-resistant, a crucial characteristic for withstanding the UK's potentially harsh winters. During the colder months, the tree may shed its leaves, but its graceful branches still offer an elegant structure to the garden.

In conclusion, the 'Summer Red' Red Maple is an excellent choice for the UK market, providing year-round appeal with its beautiful summer foliage, adaptability to the UK's climate, and capacity to thrive in various garden settings. Its enduring green leaves make it an attractive option for those seeking a tree that can add lushness and elegance to British gardens and public spaces, making it an appealing choice for both homeowners and landscapers.

Acer tataricum subsp. ginnala, commonly known as the Amur maple, is a small, ornamental tree or large shrub admired for its hardiness, compact size, and brilliant seasonal color. Typically growing 4 to 6 meters in height and spread, it features glossy, lobed green leaves that turn spectacular shades of red, orange, and yellow in autumn. In spring, clusters of small, fragrant white flowers appear, followed by distinctive paired winged seeds. Adaptable and resilient, the Amur maple thrives in a range of soils and conditions, including urban environments. Its manageable size and vibrant display make it perfect for gardens, parks, and streetscapes. It can also be grown as a multi-stemmed specimen, offering year-round interest and supporting local wildlife.