Acer rubrum 'Somerset'
red maple 'Somerset'
A round-headed, large, deciduous tree, about 15m in height selected for its early and intense autumn leaf colour. Palmate, 3 to 5-lobed, dark green leaves, grey-green and covered in dense, woolly, soft down beneath, turn brilliant red in September. A male clone that produces dense, upright clusters of tiny red flowers in spring before the leaves, but does not produce fruit
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Size
Ultimate height
Higher than 12 metresTime to ultimate height
20–50 yearsUltimate spread
Wider than 8 metresGrowing conditions
Moisture
Moist but well–drainedpH
Acid, NeutralColour & scent
Stem | Flower | Foliage | Fruit | |
Spring | Red | Green Grey Silver | ||
---|---|---|---|---|
Summer | Green Grey Silver | |||
Autumn | Red | |||
Winter |
Position
- Full sun
- Partial shade
Aspect
East–facing or North–facing or South–facing or West–facing
Exposure
Exposed or Sheltered Hardiness
H6Botanical details
- Family
- Sapindaceae
- Native to the UK
- No
- Foliage
- Deciduous
- Habit
- Bushy
- Genus
Acer can be deciduous trees or large shrubs with paired, often palmately-lobed leaves and small flowers followed by characteristic winged fruits. Many have fine autumn colour, and some have ornamental stems
- Name status
Accepted
How to grow
Cultivation
Grow in fertile, moist but well-drained neutral to acid soil in full sun or light shade. See tree cultivation for further advice
Propagation
Propagate by grafting in late winter or softwood cuttings in early summer
Suggested planting locations and garden types
- Architectural
- Cottage and informal garden
- Wildlife gardens
- Low Maintenance
Pruning
Pruning group 1, if necessary, from late autumn to midwinter only
Pests
May be susceptible to Acer gall mite, aphids, caterpillars and horse chestnut scale
Diseases
May be susceptible to Verticillium wilt, Acer leaf scorch and honey fungus
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