ACE ACERS

With so many stunning varieties to choose from, acers are among the most beautiful trees for small gardens, says Adrienne Wild

- Adrienne Wild

With their shapely lines, gorgeous leaves and interesting bark, acers make popular ornamental trees. Depending on the variety, they can sit in full sun or dappled shade, just under the canopy of larger trees or with a little protection from other shrubs. Acers don’t like lime, so a neutral to slightly acid soil with good drainage is ideal. Smaller types make interesting plants for patio pots. Take care not to let acers dry out in the first year, as this can lead to brown or scorched foliage.

Colour changing

The semi-dwarf Acer palmatum ‘Ariadne’ is outstanding. Its bushy habit gradually forms a neat, small tree. Its new spring growth is a glorious mixture of pink, orange and yellow. For summer, the leaves take on a purple hue, then the entire tree turns fiery orange before leaves drop in November. Bright-green ‘Osakazuki’ (left) turns pillar-box red in the autumn. After about 20 years, its full size is roughly 4 x 3m.

Firework effect A beautiful tree for a small garden, ‘Atropurpureum’ is a Japanese maple with a shapely outline. It’s highly sought after because of its purple foliage that lasts from spring to late summer, when it turns into a firework display of colours for autumn. Grow it in a pot or make a feature of it in a border, where the soil beneath its short trunk is planted with spring bulbs.

Bright and beautiful