Red Maple (Acer rubrum) | seeds, 10 pcs.

FROST TOLERANT

• Latin name: Acer rubrum
• Danish names: Rødløn
• English names: Red maple, scarlet maple

Acer rubrum is one of North America's most well-known and beloved maple trees. The species is famous for its spectacular autumn colors, where the foliage can shift into intense shades of red, orange, and scarlet. It is precisely these colors that have made the red maple one of the most popular ornamental trees in gardens, parks, and landscapes worldwide.

In nature, Acer rubrum grows across large parts of eastern North America, where it is found in forests, wetlands, and along rivers. The tree is highly adaptable and can grow under a wide range of conditions.

Spring offers decorative reddish flowers, which often appear before the leaves emerge. The summer foliage is a fresh green, but it is primarily the autumn that makes the species famous. On well-developed trees, the canopy can almost glow in intense red colors.

If you are interested in maple trees, you can also take a look at the elegant Japanese maple Acer palmatum, known for its beautiful leaf shapes and compact growth, as well as Acer buergerianum, which is particularly popular among bonsai enthusiasts due to its small leaves and attractive branching.

Cultivation and requirements

Acer rubrum thrives best in full sun to light partial shade and prefers:

• Well-drained and humus-rich soil
• Even moisture
• Slightly acidic to neutral soil
• Plenty of space for the canopy to develop

The species is relatively tolerant of different soil types, but develops best in moisture-retentive and nutrient-rich soil.

The red maple is fully hardy in Denmark and is well-suited as a specimen tree in larger gardens and parks. The tree can eventually reach a height of 15–25 meters, depending on the planting site and climate.

The most intense autumn colors are often achieved in sunny locations with cool autumn nights.

Cultivation from seeds

Seeds of Acer rubrum normally require a cold period to break dormancy. However, we have already taken care of this for you.

• Sow in moist soil or sand
• Cold stratification for 8–12 weeks at 1–5 °C (we have done this in advance)
• After this, place the seeds at 15–22 °C
• Keep the soil slightly moist

Germination typically occurs during the spring after the cold treatment. The young plants grow relatively quickly and develop the characteristic leaf shape early on.

Utility and collector's value

Acer rubrum is primarily grown as an ornamental and collector's tree. It is especially the spectacular autumn colors that have made the species a classic among maple trees.

For collectors of trees and maple species, the species is an obvious supplement to both Acer palmatum and Acer buergerianum. Where the Japanese maple impresses with its elegant leaves, and the trident maple is popular for bonsai, the red maple is particularly known for its size and its fantastic autumn colors.

The tree also provides value throughout the year with reddish flowers in the spring, lush green foliage in the summer, and one of the most beautiful autumn displays in the plant kingdom.

Acer rubrum is an obvious choice for the plant enthusiast who wants to grow an impressive maple tree right from seed – a hardy species with spectacular autumn colors, elegant growth, and high collector's value.