Plant of the Week: Acer Cappadocicum ‘Aureum’

Acer cappadocicum ‘Aureum’ (20/10/2012, Kew Gardens, London)

Position: Full sun to light shade

Flowering period: Early spring

Soil: Moist, well drained

Eventual Height: 30m

Eventual Spread: 20m

Hardiness: 5a – 8b

Family: Sapindaceae

Acer cappadocicum ‘Aureum’ is a medium sized deciduous tree with a rounded crown. Its light green leaves are opposite, palmately lobed with up to 7 lobes and up to 15cm across. Its leaves emerge bright yellow in spring and turn yellow in autumn before they fall. Its green/ gray bark is smooth on young trees, becoming shallowly grooved as it matures. Its yellow/ green flowers appear in corymbs in groups of up to 30. Its fruit is a double winged sumara. Its roots may produce sprouts.

Acer cappadocicum ‘Aureum’ Autumn Leaf (20/10/2012, Kew Gardens, London)

The species Acer cappadocicum, commonly known as the Cappadocian Maple, is native to southern and south western Asia. Acer cappadocicum ‘Aureum’, commonly known as the Golden Cappadocian Maple, originates from Weener, Germany in 1914.

The etymology of the binomial name Acer is derived from the classical Latin name for the Maple. Cappadocicum is derived from the Latin meaning ‘from Cappadocia’, now known as central Turkey. Aureum is from the Latin meaning ‘golden’, in reference to the autumn leaf color.

The landscape architect may find Acer cappadocicum ‘Aureum’ useful as an attractive parkland tree with attractive spring and autumn color. It is not tolerant of urban pollution.

Ecologically, Acer cappadocicum ‘Aureum’ flowers are attractive to pollinating insects.

Acer cappadocicum ‘Aureum’ Bark (20/10/2012, Kew Gardens, London)

The Royal Horticultural Society has given Acer cappadocicum ‘Aureum’ their prestigious Award of Garden Merit in 1993.

Acer cappadocicum ‘Aureum’ prefers moist, humus rich, well-drained soils. It tolerates most pH of soil. It is not tolerant of dry soils.

Acer cappadocicum ‘Aureum’ requires little maintenance.