Acer pseudoplatanus Prince Camille de Rohan - Sycamore Maple

Acer pseudoplatanus 'Prince Camille de Rohan' is a highly ornamental Sycamore maple with beautiful palmate and variegated foliage that changes colours throughout the seasons. Starting in spring with shades of pink-orange, the leaves then display a variegation of various shades of green, creamy white, and a touch of pink. As they mature, the leaves turn purple on the underside, and in autumn, they yellow before eventually falling to the ground. Easy to grow in moist soil, this small tree tolerates both full sun and partial shade. It is extremely hardy and can be planted almost anywhere.

The Maple tree is the main member of the Aceraceae family, from which it derives its name, the only other genus is Dipteronia. The Acer genus comprises at least 150 species, native to the northern hemisphere (America, Europe, and Asia). They are primarily trees, but sometimes also shrubs, such as the popular Japanese Maples. Maples can be recognised by their double samara fruits (the "helicopters" of our childhood), as well as their opposite leaves. They are deciduous, with one exception (Acer sempervirens).
The wild Acer pseudoplatanus (also known as Sycamore or Mountain Maple) covers a range that extends from hilly regions to subalpine areas (up to 1500m altitude) in Europe, the Near East, and the Caucasus. This large tree can reach a height of 30m and live up to 500 years. It grows in fertile, moist soils, adapting to sunny locations while appreciating the partial shade provided by forest edges.
Acer pseudoplatanus 'Prince Camille de Rohan' is a sought-after variety for its particularly ornamental foliage, which changes colour throughout the seasons. It is a small tree that reaches maturity relatively quickly, after about 10 years of cultivation. Reaching approximately 7.50m in height with a spread of 4m, it forms a more or less regular spherical crown, sometimes even conical or pyramidal, with upright branches spreading at the base. Its canopy is relatively dense, giving it a beautiful silhouette, enhanced by planting it as a standalone specimen on a lawn. In spring, the buds elongate to reveal a bunch of young leaves in a salmon-pink to orange hue, which is quite charming. These leaves then unfurl into their palmate shape, while their colour evolves into a mix of various shades of green, overlapping each other and leaving room for patches of creamy white as the pink gradually fades. The variably sized leaves can reach up to 15cm and are carried by long petioles, which can be more or less red, creating a stunning contrast. The palmate leaf blades have five lobes, three main ones and two smaller lateral ones, with irregularly toothed margins. As the season progresses, the undersides of the leaves turn purple, adding to the ornamental interest of this variety. The upper part of the tree, well-exposed to the sun, remains variegated, while the lower, more shaded part may revert to varying degrees of green. Towards the end of the season, as the first autumn chill sets in, the deciduous foliage gradually turns yellow before falling to the ground. Flowering occurs around April, but is too inconspicuous to have significant ornamental value. However, the small yellow flowers are valuable for their nectar production and are arranged in pendulous terminal clusters. They are followed by distinctive fruits in the form of paired winged samaras, which twirl and fall like the blades of a helicopter when caught by the wind.

Sycamore maple 'Prince Camille de Rohan' is suitable for medium-sized gardens due to its moderate growth habit. It is extremely hardy and adapts to any soil that is sufficiently deep, well-drained, and not too dry. Its distinctive silhouette and colourful foliage are best showcased when planted as a standalone specimen on a lawn or in front of a backdrop of larger trees with dark foliage. You can also incorporate it into mixed borders alongside other ornamental plants, such as 'Straight Laced' Elder, a stunning medium-sized shrub with foliage that is almost black and deeply lobed, resembling herbaceous peonies, providing a striking contrast in both form and colour to your Maple. It also produces beautiful pink corymbs of flowers, which stand out against the dark foliage. Pairing it with a 'Golden Lady' Smoke Bush will enhance the vibrancy of your composition. This shrub forms a ball of foliage that fluctuates from orange-yellow in spring to yellow in summer before turning orange in autumn. To complete your composition, add a 'Virginal' Mock Orange, with its dark green foliage that enhances the colours of its neighbours, and enjoy its white, orange-scented flowers that will enchant you in June and July.