The maples belong to the genus Acer, an important group of mainly deciduous trees and shrubs in the family Sapindaceae, which are widely cultivated throughout the temperate northern hemisphere. Some, such as Acer griseum, have ornamental bark; but most are valued in cultivation for their brilliant autumn foliage in shades of yellow, orange and red. A vast number of cultivars have been developed for garden use. The palmate maple Acer palmatum alone has thousands of cultivars, many of which originate in Japan where the plant is especially prized for its compact size and elegant domed shape. Many maple species lend themselves to bonsai treatment.
All tolerate a range of growing conditions, but prefer a partially shaded, sheltered position in soil that is well-drained but also retains moisture. Most are reasonably hardy down to or so. The following is a selected list of cultivars which in the UK have gained the Royal Horticultural Society's Award of Garden Merit (confirmed 2018).
Species Cultivar name Year Ref Autumn colour Height Spread Image A. campestre 1993 yellow/red 12m 8m A. cappadocicum 'Aureum' 1993 yellow 12m 8m A. cappadocicum 'Rubrum' 1993 yellow 12m 8m A. davidii 'George Forrest' 1993 yellow 12m 8m A. × freemanii ='Jeffersred' 2012 orange/red 12m 8m A. griseum 1993 orange/red 12m 8m A. japonicum 'Aconitifolium' 1993 red 8m 8m A. japonicum 'Vitifolium' 1993 red 8m 8m A. micranthum 2012 orange 8m 4m A. negundo 'Winter Lightning' 2012 yellow 10m 8m A. negundo var. violaceum 2012 purple 12m 8m A. palmatum 'Beni-maiko' 1993 yellow/orange/red 1.5m 1.5m A. palmatum 'Beni-tsukasa' 1993 orange 2.5m 2.5m A. palmatum 'Bloodgood' 1993 red 4m 4m A. palmatum 'Burgundy Lace' 1993 purple 4m 4m A. palmatum 'Chitose-yama' 1993 red 2.5m 2.5m A. palmatum 'Crimson Queen' 1993 red/purple 2.5m 2.5m A. palmatum 'Elegans' 2012 yellow/orange/red 2.5m 2.5m A. palmatum 'Garnet' 1993 red/purple 1.5m 2.5m A. palmatum 'Inaba-shidare' 1993 red/purple 2.5m 2.5m A. palmatum 'Katsura' 2002 orange 4m 4m A. palmatum 'Orange Dream' 2012 orange/yellow 4m 4m A. palmatum 'Orangeola' 2012 orange/red 4m 2.5m A. palmatum 'Ornatum' 2012 red 3m 1.5m A. palmatum 'Osakazuki' 1993 red/pink 4m 4m A. palmatum 'Red Pygmy' 1993 red/purple 1.5m 1.5m A. palmatum 'Sango-kaku' 1993 yellow/red 6m 4m A. palmatum 'Seiryu' 1993 yellow/orange/red 4m 4m A. palmatum 'Shin-deshojo' 2012 red/orange 2.5m 2.5m A. palmatum 'Shish geshira' 2012 orange 4m 2.5m A. palmatum 'Trompenburg' 2002 orange/red 4m 4m A. palmatum 'Villa Taranto' 2012 yellow 4m 2.5m A. platanoides 'Crimson King' 1993 purple/crimson 12m 8m A. platanoides ='Prigo' 2012 yellow 12m 8m A. pseudoplatanus 'Brilliantissimum' 1993 pink/green/cream 8m 8m A. rubrum 'October Glory' 1993 red 12m 8m A. rubrum ='Franksred' 2012 red 12m 8m A. shirasawanum 'Aureum' 1993 yellow 8m 8m A. tegmentosum 2012 yellow 12m 8m A. triflorum 2002 orange 12m 8m
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