Complete guide to maple trees for gardens and terraces: species, cultivars and care

Maples, belonging to the genus Acer With more than one hundred recognized species, they constitute one of the most appreciated tree genera by both expert gardeners and gardening enthusiasts. The spectacular nature of their leaves, their branching structure, and, above all, the chromatic variety of their foliage during the fall, make maples the undisputed protagonists of gardens and parks around the world. Their diversity of shapes, sizes, and colors means there's a maple for every landscaping need: from large species ideal for creating shaded areas to compact varieties perfect for terraces or small urban gardens.

General characteristics of the Acer genus: biodiversity, leaves, roots and life cycle

El Acer genus It encompasses a wide range of trees and, to a lesser extent, shrubs or small trees. Predominantly deciduous, although there are some evergreen species adapted to Mediterranean climates, maples are primarily distinguished by their palmate leaves, usually with five finger-like lobes, although the shape, size, and margin can vary considerably between species and cultivars.

Biodiversity and adaptationMaples are native primarily to Asia, especially eastern Asia, but native species can be found in North America, Europe, North Africa, and South Asia. This diversity of origins gives them a remarkable ability to adapt to different climatic conditions and soil types, from humid mountain forests to drier, sunnier areas.

Life cycle and marcescenceMost maples are deciduous, meaning their natural cycle involves leaf fall in autumn after a color change. However, certain species exhibit marcescence, an intermediate condition in which the dry leaves remain on the tree during the winter, only falling off when new leaves sprout in spring. This phenomenon, in addition to providing seasonal interest, protects the shoots from low temperatures.

root systemMaples generally have strong roots, and depending on the species, they can be shallow or deep. Some species, such as the Acer saccharinum and the Acer, they have aggressive and superficial roots, which must be taken into account to avoid problems near buildings, pipes or pavements.

Management and pruningAlthough many species reach considerable heights and leafy canopies, maples can be pruned and adapted using training techniques, allowing them to be grown in smaller spaces or used as hedges if the appropriate species are selected.

Maples: a display of colors and shapes for every garden

The variety of maples that can be grown in gardens and terraces is enormous, but below you'll find a selection of the most recommended species and cultivars, both for their ornamental value and for their hardiness and adaptability. This resource includes both native species (more resistant to drought and heat) and exotic ones, ranging from monumental maples to dwarf varieties ideal for small spaces or potted cultivation.

Acer buergerianum or trident maple

The trident maple is a deciduous tree that can reach 10 to 12 meters in height and is commonly seen in gardens in Japan, China, and Taiwan. Its canopy is moderately sized, about 3 meters in diameter, making it suitable for medium-sized to large gardens.

• Leaves: Trilobed, they acquire an intense reddish tone in autumn after a period of bright green.
• Resistance: It tolerates temperatures down to −20 °C, making it an excellent choice for cold continental climates.
• Uses and advantages: It is suitable for bonsai training thanks to its excellent branching capacity and pruning tolerance. Ideal as a single specimen or as a decorative tree on large terraces and patios.

country maple or field maple, common maple

This elegant tree, native to many regions of Europe and parts of western Asia, adapts perfectly to temperate climates and tolerates both cold and drier environments well.

• High jump: It can grow up to 10 meters.
• Cup and leavesIt has a spherical, very dense, and compact crown, with palmately lobed leaves that are glaucous green on the upper surface and slightly tomentose on the underside. During the fall, they turn golden yellow, creating a visual spectacle.
• AdvantagesIt tolerates calcareous soils and is easy to grow. It is ideal both as a single tree and as a pruned hedge, as it responds well to trimming.
• Resistance: Withstands frosts down to −20 °C.

acer x freemanii and 'Autumn Blaze'

Hybrid between the Acer and the Acer saccharinum, the Freeman maple has become popular as an ornamental tree due to its balanced development, its resistance and its spectacular autumn colors.

• High jump: 10 meters in optimal conditions.
• Leaves: Green during spring and summer, turning red in autumn. The 'Autumn Blaze' cultivar stands out for its more intense and prolonged red color before falling.
• Resistance: Up to −20 °C.
• Adaptability: Tolerates humid soils and urban pollution.

Acer tataricum subsp. ginnala (Amur maple, Russian maple)

Known as the love maple, this variety is native to northeast Asia and is especially valued in landscaping for its medium-sized size and spectacular autumn color.

• High jump: 5 to 10 meters.
• Cup: 2-3 meters, generally compact.
• Leaves: Deciduous, palmately lobed, green in spring and summer, intensely reddish in autumn.
• Advantages: : Hardy down to −20 °C. It is suitable for smaller gardens, as a single or grouped specimen.

Acer griseum (paper maple, gray Chinese maple)

One of the most distinguished maples, its exfoliating cinnamon or reddish bark decorates the tree year-round and provides great ornamental value in winter gardens.

• High jump: Up to 18 meters.
• Leaves: Composed of three leaflets, dark green above and glaucous blue-green below. The autumnal change produces intense red and orange hues.
• Resistance: Up to −20 °C.
• Advantages: Highly appreciated in contemporary garden design and botanical collections.

Acer japonicum (full moon maple, Japanese plush maple)

This maple is highly valued in Japanese gardens and oriental-inspired landscape designs.

• High jump: From 5 to 15 meters.
• Cup: Wide (3-4 meters), generally compact.
• Leaves: Palmate, rounded, with pronounced lobes. Green in spring-summer and red in autumn.
• Resistance: Tolerates up to −20 °C.

Acer monspessulanum (Montpellier maple, maple mundillo, enguelgue)

One of the maples best adapted to dry conditions, with a distinctly Mediterranean origin. It's ideal for southern European gardens that suffer from hot summers and calcareous soils.

• High jump: From 10 to 15 meters in optimal conditions, although it is usually smaller.
• Cup: Rounded, up to 3-4 meters wide.
• Leaves: Trilobed, dark green, leathery and shiny, turning reddish in autumn.
• Resistance: It tolerates temperatures up to −18 °C and is drought tolerant.
• Advantages: Its heat tolerance and low water requirements make it especially useful in sustainable gardens.

acer opalus (orón maple, asar, Italian maple)

A native species popular in southern and western Europe. Its compact size and hardiness make it ideal for medium-sized gardens.

• High jump: Up to 20 meters, although sometimes it behaves like a small tree or large bush.
• Leaves: Green for most of the year, turning red, yellow or orange in autumn.
• Resistance: Up to −18 °C.
• Advantages: It prefers calcareous soils and somewhat humid climates in summer, although it is hardy and tolerates different conditions as long as the soil is not excessively dry.

Acer opalus subsp. garnet (Grenadine maple)

Endemic to mountainous areas of the southern Iberian Peninsula, Mallorca, and North Africa, this small maple rarely grows taller than 7 meters. It is prized for its local adaptation and its yellow or orange autumn foliage.

• Resistance: Up to −15 °C.

acer negundo (maple negundo)

Native to North America and naturalized in many regions, this maple is one of the most versatile for parks and gardens.

• High jump: Up to 25 meters.
• Cup: Wide and rounded.
• Leaves: Green in spring and summer, yellowish in autumn.
• Resistance: Up to −20 °C.
• Advantages: Tolerates poor soils, drought and polluted urban environments.

Acer palmatum and their varieties and cultivars

Without a doubt, the Japanese maple (Acer palmatum) is one of the most spectacular and prized trees in ornamental gardening thanks to its chromatic potential, elegant appearance, and the enormous diversity of shapes and colors available among its hundreds of cultivars. It is a small deciduous tree or shrub native to Japan and Korea, with moderate growth, rarely exceeding 16 meters, although there are varieties that do not reach a meter in height.

• Leaves: Palmates, very decorative, change color depending on variety and season (yellow, red, purple, orange, deep green).
• AdvantagesThere are dwarf and low-growing cultivars ideal for terraces, patios, and small gardens. It tolerates frosts down to −20°C, although it appreciates some protection from intense sunlight.
• Uses: As an isolated specimen, in flowerbeds, grown in a pot or even as a bonsai.

Acer palmatum var atropurpureum

It stands out for its reddish leaves in spring, turning greenish in summer and again to a deep purple-red in autumn. It's suitable as an ornamental tree growing to about 7 meters tall, especially in Japanese-inspired gardens or areas where seasonal visual impact is desired.

Acer palmatum 'Bloodgood'

A very popular cultivar for its intensely dark red, almost burgundy leaves, which persist from spring to autumn. It typically grows as a 3-meter shrub. It is an improved version of 'Atropurpureum'.

Acer palmatum 'Deshojo'

With green and reddish leaves in spring, it turns a deep scarlet red from summer until fall. Its moderate size (3 meters) makes it ideal for small spaces.

Acer palmatum 'Osakazuki'

A small, deciduous tree that rarely grows above 5 meters. Its palmate leaves, greenish in spring and summer, turn scarlet in autumn. It is highly prized in Japanese landscaping.

Other cultivars highly valued in the Japanese and Western environment include:

• 'Sango Kaku': Reddish trunk, light green leaves that turn yellow-gold in autumn.
• 'Seiryu': Very finely dissected foliage, green in spring and summer, orange in autumn.
• 'Shigitatsu Sawa', 'Ornatum', 'Kamagata', 'Red Dragon', 'Red Pygmy', 'Beni Otaque', 'Wilson's Pink Dwarf', 'Filigree'…

Many of these cultivars are grouped into three large groups:

• Acer palmatum dissectum: Very fine, highly cropped leaves, with a lace effect. Examples: 'Red Dragon', 'Red Filigree Lace'.
• Linearilobum: Leaves with thin, elongated, strap-like lobes. Example: 'Red Pygmy'.
• palmatum: The original palmate form, classic examples 'Osakazuki' or 'Atropurpureum'.

Acer platanoides (Royal maple, Platanoid maple, Norway maple)

One of the largest of the Acer genus, native to Europe and Asia Minor, commonly used as a shade tree in parks, rows and large gardens.

• High jump: Up to 35 meters.
• Cup: Very wide, reaching over 4 meters in diameter.
• Leaves: Palmate, toothed margin, green almost all year round with transition to yellow/orange in autumn.
• Resistance: −20 °C.
• Advantages: It tolerates pollution, pruning and different types of soil, including slightly calcareous soils.

Acer platanoides 'Crimson King'

A variety famous for its dark reddish-purple leaves, turning brown in autumn. Used as an ornamental contrasting tree in avenues and urban parks.

Acer pseudoplatanus (white maple, sycamore maple, sycamore maple)

Large and hardy, it is widely used in parks and alleys. Native to central and southern Europe.

• High jump: Up to 30 meters.
• Cup: Wide, up to 4-5 meters.
• Leaves: Palmate, large, bright green, changing to yellow/orange in autumn.
• Resistance: Up to −18 °C.
• Comments: Very rustic, tolerates poor soils and different exposures.

Acer (red maple, Canadian maple, or Virginia maple)

Native to eastern North America, it is one of the most popular trees for its rapid growth, tolerance, and the intensity of its crimson foliage in autumn.

• High jump: 20 to 40 meters.
• Cup: Pyramidal and dense.
• Leaves: Three lobes, green in spring and summer, red in autumn.
• Advantages: Tolerates moist soils and sun or partial shade; its roots can be invasive.
• Resistance: Up to −18 °C.

Acer (sugar maple)

Famous for being the species from which maple syrup is extracted, it is native to eastern North America and is noted for its autumnal tones and quality wood.

• High jump: Between 10 and 15 (up to 40) meters.
• Cup: Densely populated, great shadow effect.
• Leaves: Palmatilobadas, green most of the year, turning yellow, orange or red in autumn.
• Resistance: Up to −30 °C.
• Comments: Requires moisture and well-drained soils, but not waterlogged.

Acer saccharinum (American white maple, silver maple, sugar maple, sugar maple)

A fast-growing species native to the eastern United States and Canada, prized for its silvery-green foliage and spectacular appearance.

• High jump: 30 to 40 meters.
• Leaves: Palmate with five lobes, light green upper surface and silver underside. In autumn, they often have reddish and golden hues.
• RootsAggressive and shallow; it is best to plant away from buildings and underground pipelines.
• Resistance: −25 °C.

Which of these types of maples did you like the most?