Leafy lollipop
Acer ‘Brilliantissimum’ makes a big impression in sheltered small gardens, writes David Overend.
Acer pseudoplatanus “Brilliantissimum” is a “small” sycamore tree loved for its salmon-pink young foliage which turns yellow and then dark green before blowing away in autumn’s winds. It’s been described as the perfect tree for small gardens, although that depends on how small is small, but there is no argument about its beauty – it’s a lollypop of a tree, which, planted in part-shade or full sun in a sheltered position, should grow to just reach perhaps 20ft in height and width.
That’s a far cry from the tree most people associate with the name sycamore (Acer pseudoplatanus), the large deciduous, broad-leaved tree tolerant of wind and coastal exposure; definitely not a tree for 99 per cent of British gardens.
“Brilliantissimum”, however, is more accommodating. Plant it in part-shade or full sun in a site well sheltered from winds and give it moist, but well-drained, soil and it should thrive.
If it ever needs pruning, do the job in the dormant season, which lasts from November to March.
On the other hand, ornamental acers, AKA Japanese maples, are usually much easier to accommodate. These elegant, small trees, many with finely-divided foliage, come in a multitude of forms and colours – from standard green to pinks and deep purples. And in autumn, they go out in a blaze of red and orange.
Many have a beautiful, arching habit and also look stunning as specimens for containers, and despite their delicate appearance, given the right site, they can usually withstand the worst of the British weather.
They like neutral or acid soil, and a sheltered spot away from those cold, drying winds, which can burn their fine foliage and which have been known to carry off a considerable number of these beautiful little trees.
Acer negrundo “Flamingo” produces fresh, pink-tinged foliage that gradually turn green with white edges. It’s easy to grow and can quickly reach 30ft in height and width. For a small garden, grow it as a big bush, hard-pruning it in late winter or give it a home – and plenty of loving care – in a big container.
And for something completely different, there are the likes of A griseum (the paper bark maple) with its stunning peeling redbrown bark, and the snakebark maple (A capillipes), which has green-and-white striped bark. Both will grow to 30ft in height.