Acer rubrum (Red maple, Scarlet maple, Swamp maple)

Photo/Illustration: Courtesy of Bailey Nurseries

Be the first to rate this plant

Plant Showcase - from our advertisers

Hardiness Zones:

1

2

3

4

5

6

7

8

9

10

11

Botanical Name: Acer rubrum AY-sir ROO-brum Common Name: Red maple, Scarlet maple, Swamp maple Genus: Acer

This tree has lobed leaves that are green on top and gray-white beneath. It turns bright red in autumn. Its form can be round to open-headed.
Care: Grow in slightly acidic soil for best fall coloration.
Propagation: Sow seeds in container or in situ. Graft in late winter; bud in late summer.
Problems: Aphids, scale, and caterpillars. Mites can cause leaf spot gall in several species. Fungal leaf spots and root rots are common.

• Overview
• User Reviews
• Photos

Height	Over 30 ft.
Spread	Over 30 ft.
Growth Pace	Moderate Grower
Light	Full Sun to Part Shade
Moisture	Adaptable
Maintenance	Low
Characteristics	Native; Showy Foliage
Uses	Specimen Plant/ Focal Point
Style	Woodland Garden
Seasonal Interest	Summer Interest, Fall Interest
Type	Trees

Be the first to rate this plant

Click on a thumbnail to see a full sized image

Photo/Illustration: Courtesy of Bailey Nurseries

Plants you might also like

Acer rubrum ‘Red Sunset’
(Red maple, Scarlet maple) Be the first to rate this plant

Hardiness Zones:

1

2

3

4

5

6

7

8

9

10

11

This is a rounded to open-crown deciduous tree up to 70 feet tall and 30 feet wide with early, brilliant red fall coloring.

Magnolia denudata 'Forrest's Pink'
(Lily tree, Magnolia, Yulan) Be the first to rate this plant

Hardiness Zones:

1

2

3

4

5

6

7

8

9

10

11

This cultivar creates a fragrant cloud of rich bubblegum-pink blossoms on bare branches in spring. It grows to 40 feet tall and wide.

Viburnum prunifolium
(Blackhaw Viburnum) Be the first to rate this plant

Hardiness Zones:

1

2

3

4

5

6

7

8

9

10

11

Blackhaw Viburnum is a large shrub or small tree with clusters of creamy white flowers followed by pink-rose berries, which birds love to eat. Its distinctive bronze-green foliage on reddish purple stems turns blue-black in the fall. Blackhaw grows to 12 to 15 feet high and 8 to12 feet wide.

Corylus avellana 'Contorta'
(Harry Lauder’s walking stick, Corkscrew hazel) (2 user reviews)

Hardiness Zones:

1

2

3

4

5

6

7

8

9

10

11

This upright, tree-like shrub has heart-shaped, toothed, mid-green leaves. Pendent yellow catkins are borne in late winter and early spring. Strongly twisted, spiraling shoots provide year-round interest.

Cercis canadensis and cvs.
(Eastern redbud) Be the first to rate this plant

Hardiness Zones:

1

2

3

4

5

6

7

8

9

10

11

Bright purplish-pink blooms are borne in clusters, before the leaves, along smooth gray branches. Heart-shaped leaves emerge bronze, turning green, then yellow in autumn. Cultivars are available with white ('Royal White') or pink flowers ('Tennessee Pink'), purple foliage ('Forest Pansy'), and weeping form ('Covey'). Grows 15 to 25 feet tall with a slightly wider spread.

Enchanting Japanese Maples
Two experts pick their favorites based on color, shape by Francie Schroeder

Alliums All Season Long
Deer resistant and dynamic, these bulbs provide color from the first showers of spring to the last leaves of fall by Stephanie Cohen

VIDEO Selecting Trees for Structure
What to consider—and what to avoid—when making the next addition to your garden by Andrew Bunting

8 Trees and Shrubs with Showy Fall Fruit
These plants add late-season dazzle to a garden when most plants are winding down by Alan Branhagen

Bulbs for Summer and Fall
You can plant these in spring for an array of bold flowers later in the year by John E. Bryan

Great Plants, Vol.2Learn how to choose and use the best plant varieties for your gardenMore Info

Great Gardens, Vol. 2An insider's look at America's most beautiful gardensMore Info

Fine Gardening How-To Series: Gardening Techniques, Vol. 2 DVD-ROMQuick computer access to over 45 articles and videos on seasonal gardening techniques -- and moreMore Info