5 maple trees for a small garden

Acer truncatum 'Akikaze-nishiki' – Shantung maple

Acer truncatum ‘Akikaze-nishiki’ – Shantung Maple is a small tree with a spreading habit and very dissected, variegated foliage. Reaching a mature height and a width of about 6 metres, it bears lobed, sometimes curling leaves, in a deep green, variegated with cream, with pinkish tints in spring. In autumn, it takes on yellow and orange-red. It has rapid growth and is multi-stemmed. It tolerates a wide range of soils, except very calcareous soils, and can be grown in full sun or partial shade. Its hardiness allows it to withstand temperatures down to -28°C. It requires little maintenance and tolerates both moist and dry soils.

To showcase this small tree, plant it as a specimen on a lawn or in a mixed border. Pair it with the Weigela florida ‘Alexandra’ for a contrast of foliage and flowering. Perovskia, with their grey foliage and blue-mauve summer flowering, are also good companions.

Golden ash-leaved maple - Acer negundo 'Kelly's Gold'

Golden ash-leaved maple – Acer negundo‘Kelly’s Gold’ is a small garden tree and offers foliage with golden tones from spring to autumn. It greens up slightly in summer, then takes on a dark golden colour, sometimes coppery in autumn. Leaves divided into 3 to 9 oval leaflets, pointed and with very dentate margins. The maple reaches a height of 6 metres with a 4-metre spread at maturity and features an oval, harmonious habit. In spring, clusters of inconspicuous flowers give it a Japanese-inspired look. This small deciduous tree brings light to the garden and is easy to maintain. Fast-growing, it thrives in sun as well as in partial shade and tolerates cold down to -34°C. It prefers a cool, deep soil, even calcareous, and shelter from winds, as its wood is somewhat brittle.

Plant it as a specimen in the middle of a lawn or pair it with a purple contorted hazel to create a colour contrast.

Sycamore maple – Acer pseudoplatanus 'Eskimo Sunset'

The Acer pseudoplatanus ‘Eskimo Sunset’ stands out for its distinctive foliage, slow growth and moderate size. This sycamore maple variety has an oval, balanced habit and reaches 5 metres in height and 3 metres in spread in 20 years. Its palmately lobed leaves are large and divided into five pointed, dentate lobes, carried on red petioles. The leaves change colour with the seasons, shifting from pink and orange hues in spring to green variegated with cream and pink in summer. The undersides of the leaves are purplish violet. In autumn, it turns bright yellow and orange before dropping. In April–May, small melliferous flowers appear, followed by two-winged fruits. This tree thrives in deep, cool soil with no excess of lime. It should be planted in a location sheltered from the blazing sun, which can affect the leaves, especially in the regions south of the Loire.

To showcase it in a small garden, plant it as a solitary specimen or in front of a stand of taller trees. Pair it with a variegated dogwood or Japanese maples to create a garden rich in textures and colours.

Dwarf Field Maple - Acer campestre 'Nanum'

Acer campestre ‘Nanum’, also known as the dwarf field maple, is a tree variety prized for its compact habit and dense crown. This tree, which can reach 3 metres high by 3 metres wide, or 6 metres tall depending on the height of the graft point, adds verticality to a small garden. Its small, deciduous leaves are composed of 3 to 5 lobes. They transition from a slightly satin-green to golden-yellow, with coppery or bronze hues in autumn. Greenish flowers appear discreetly in spring and are followed by winged fruits, adding further visual interest. The bark is pale grey and fissured. Its foliage and branches are appreciated by birds that come to nest there. This maple can be planted in full sun or partial shade, in ordinary soil, even calcareous and fairly deep. Hardy to -29°C, it is easy to grow.

It can be planted as a specimen, in a hedge, along a path or in a bed. In a cottage-style hedge, pair it with spindle trees, Cotinus, or hawthorns to create a refuge for small wildlife.

Acer davidii - snake-skin maple

The Acer davidii – snake-skin maple stands out for its smooth, mottled bark that resembles snakeskin. It grows up to 7 metres in height with a 3.5-metre spread and develops on several trunks with a marbled and striate green-and-white appearance. It bears reddish shoots that become dark green leaves with a paler underside before displaying flamboyant colours in autumn, from yellow through orange to red. The leaves, 14 to 15 cm long, are divided into 3 to 9 leaflets, oval and dentate. This maple is notable for its elegant habit and pendulous clusters of red-winged fruits. It is hardy to -29°C.

Plant it in non-limed soil, cool, and in a position where it will enjoy partial shade. It deserves a prime position in a garden of moderate size. For example, place it in a planting bed of heather soil surrounded by hostas, by Hakone grass and by ferns.

Further reading

Discover our full range of maples, our guide to cultivating and planting maples, and our article featuring a selection of dwarf Japanese maples.