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Acer circinatum 'Little Gem'

A compact deciduous shrub or dwarf tree, to around 1m high, with a spreading habit forming a mound of small, broadly rounded, lobed green leaves. Leaves emerge pale green, sometimes with a pinkish margin, and turn deep green over summer and then orange and red in autumn

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Ultimate height

0.5–1 metres

Time to ultimate height

10–20 years

Ultimate spread

1–1.5 metres

Chalk

Clay

Loam

Sand

Moisture

Moist but well–drained

pH

Acid, Alkaline, Neutral

	Stem	Flower	Foliage	Fruit
Spring
Summer
Autumn
Winter

Full sun
Partial shade

Aspect

East–facing or South–facing or West–facing

Exposure

Sheltered

Hardiness
Hardiness ratings
All ratings refer to the UK growing conditions unless otherwise stated. Minimum temperature ranges (in degrees C) are shown in brackets
H1a: under glass all year (>15C)
H1b: can be grown outside in the summer (10 - 15)
H1c: can be grown outside in the summer (5 - 10)
H2: tolerant of low temperatures, but not surviving being frozen (1 to 5)
H3: hardy in coastal and relatively mild parts of the UK (-5 to 1)
H4: hardy through most of the UK (-10 to -5)
H5: hardy in most places throughout the UK even in severe winters (-15 to -10)
H6: hardy in all of UK and northern Europe (-20 to -15)
H7: hardy in the severest European continental climates (< -20)

Botanical details

Family: Sapindaceae
Native to GB / Ireland: No
Foliage: Deciduous
Habit: Spreading branched
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 moisture-retentive, well-drained, ideally slightly acidic soil, in a sheltered position with protection from drying winds. Thrives in part shade, but will tolerate full sun if soil is reliably moist. Mulch in spring, especially when grown in containers, to improve moisture retention. See Japanese maples cultivation

Propagation

Propagate by softwood cuttings, layering or grafting

Suggested planting locations and garden types

City and courtyard gardens
Cottage and informal garden
Patio and container plants
Low Maintenance
Flower borders and beds

Pruning

Minimal pruning required; see pruning group 1. Prune from late autumn to mid-winter 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

Get involved

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