Acer negundo Aureomarginatum - Maple

The Acer negundo 'Aureomarginatum' is a very beautiful variety of Ash-leaved maple with green leaves edged with yellow. Often used in hedges, it also makes a beautiful specimen tree in a small garden. As it tolerates pruning well, which promotes the growth of attractive young shoots, it can easily be trained as a large shrub. Undemanding, fast-growing and very hardy, it adapts to most soils and climates. This wonderful maple prefers to be planted in partial shade to protect its foliage from sunburn.

The Acer negundo, also known as the Ash-leaved maple, American maple or Negundo maple, belongs to the Aceraceae family. It is native to the western United States and Virginia, but is found as far south as Florida, as well as in Canada and Quebec.  It is considered an invasive species, and has naturalized in France, particularly in Corsica where it has escaped into the wild and is subject to special monitoring. This robust, light-loving species prefers river banks and wet areas, but can tolerate somewhat dry summers once established. It prefers clay-lime soils, but can adapt to a wide range of soils that are not too acid. In its natural habitat, Acer negundo grows into a wide-crowned tree, reaching a height of 15 m (49ft). It is a small, deciduous tree that loses its leaves in autumn.

The smaller 'Aureomarginatum' variety rarely exceeds 8 m (26 ft 2 in) in height and spread if not pruned. It can easily be kept at a size of 3 x 3 m (9 ft 10 in x9 ft 10 in) by regular pruning. This small tree has a relatively short, stocky single trunk, or sometimes multiple trunks, with fairly low branches if it has space. If surrounded by other shrubs or trees, it will tend to grow taller in search of light. Its natural habit is spreading, slightly irregular, supported by thin, fragile, brittle branches. Its rough, ash-grey bark cracks with age, taking on a darker grey tone. The young branches are bluish-green and covered with a white bloom. The leaves, 5 to 10 cm (2 - 3.9 in) long, are divided into 3 to 9 oval leaflets with sharply-toothed margins. They are irregularly edged with yellow on a green background, turning yellow before falling. The inconspicuous flowering occurs in April-May, at the same time or slightly before the development of the new leaves. It consists of clusters of yellowish-green female flowers in dense pendant clusters, and long filamentous clusters of red male flowers. The flowers are followed by clusters of winged fruits called samaras, 3 to 5 cm (1.2 - 2 in) long. The shrub can flower and fruit as early as 3 years old.

The Acer negundo 'Aureomarginatum' requires a spot sheltered from strong winds, this being the only requirement of this superb small, light-loving tree. It is ideal at the base of large trees to create a medium-sized screen of greenery or to brighten up a slightly dull corner of the garden. It requires less water than the 'Hakuro Nishiki', Flamingo willow, but plays a similar role in garden ornamentation, and will thrive better, without watering once well established, in regions where summers can be somewhat dry. Try combining it with a purple hazel or a Black Lace elderberry; their dark foliage will complement its extremely bright foliage beautifully. It also looks great as a specimen tree in a small garden

Tip: Remove completely green branches (side shoots) that often distort its natural shape.