Acer platanoides Walderseei - Norway Maple

Acer platanoides 'Walderseei' is a rare variety of the Norway Maple, which is distinguished by its variegated foliage. Of medium size, it forms a tree that can reach 15 m in height, with a spreading habit. Its deciduous leaves open in spring in cream-yellow. They then turn green mottled densely with white, giving the tree the appearance of grey leaves when viewed from a distance. The undemanding Norway Maple needs soil deep enough to accommodate its powerful root system.

Originating from the Caucasus, widely spread in Europe from Scandinavia to Spain and eastward to Russia, Acer platanoides is a large deciduous tree with rapid growth, often associated with oak, lime, and elm in upland forests. It can live up to 200 years. The 'Walderseei' cultivar has an upright habit and its beautiful oval crown rounds out with age. At maturity, this single-stemmed tree reaches 15 m in height with a spread of 10 m. Its foliage is deciduous. The leaves are opposite, palmate, 10 to 20 cm long, showing 5 to 7 very pointed, toothed lobes. The leaves, borne on long petioles, are smooth and glossy. The inconspicuous erect corymbs of tiny yellow-green flowers, bloom before bud burst, in March, on subjects aged 15 to 20 years. They are followed by winged fruits measuring 3 to 5 cm in length called samaras, in June. The bark of this tree is brown, almost smooth and marked with numerous shallow longitudinal fissures.

Acer platanoides 'Walderseei' is an easy-to-grow tree. It is happy in ordinary soil, provided it is deep and well-drained, and it dislikes stagnant moisture. It is magnificent as a standalone specimen in the middle of a large garden or park, for example. It can also be used as a street tree to border large avenues or as a windbreak planted along the boundaries of a large garden. Ground cover perennials such as heucheras, tiarellas, stachys, or bergenias can be planted at its base to enhance its architectural habit.

Tip: Prune every 3 to 5 years to balance the branches and maintain a harmonious habit.