Amur Maple

Acer ginnala

AY-ser jin-NAY-luh
15 to 20 ft.
15 to 18 ft.
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low

white or cream

spring

15 to 20 ft.

15 to 18 ft.

No

Central and northern China, Japan

sun

USDA zones 3-7

hardy to 8,500 ft.

Amur maple grows naturally as a multi-stemmed, irregular, upright shrub or small tree. Creamy white flowers bloom in small, fragrant clusters in April to May, then develop into pink, winged seed capsules (samaras). 

During the summer, amur maple has shiny green, three-lobed leaves with rippled edges. Its fall leaf color can be quite spectacular, and is most often a bright red, sometimes yellow.

This plant is adaptable to the varied conditions found in the Colorado Springs area, but may develop chlorosis in alkaline soils. Specimens may be pruned to grow as a single-stemmed tree. 

low

white or cream

spring

15 to 20 ft.

15 to 18 ft.

No

Central and northern China, Japan

sun

USDA zones 3-7

hardy to 8,500 ft.

At the Xeriscape Demonstration Garden, amur maple is located in the moderate water zone and has performed very well.

It has a spreading canopy, becoming quite wide over time. Fall color varies a great deal between individual trees, from red to yellow.

For sites with very alkaline soils, consider planting tatarian maple instead of amur maple to avoid problems with iron chlorosis.

It's important to prune amur maple when young so it achieves the desired shape when mature. Through pruning, shape it into either a multi-stemmed or a single-stemmed plant. Prune out dead and damaged branches as necessary. Aphids can be rinsed off of the leaves of young plants with a hose.