Acer rubrum Sun Valley - Maple

This arboretum with a compact bush habit is ideal for a small garden where it can be planted alone on a short grass meadow. In a large garden, plant it alongside other trees that change colour in autumn for an "Indian summer" atmosphere. You will appreciate its deciduous foliage turning a magnificent vivid red in autumn before falling. Its melliferous spring flowering is appreciated by bees and butterflies. Cold-resistant and drought-tolerant, the 'Sun Valley' red maple is easy to grow. Its only weakness is the wind, which it does not tolerate well.

Native to the northeastern United States and Canada, the Acer rubrum or red maple is a large tree of the sapindaceae family (formerly aceraceae) that can reach 30 m (98ft) in height in its natural habitat. It grows on riverbanks, in swamps, but also in mixed forests, on less humid soils. It is particularly appreciated for its flamboyant foliage in autumn, a symbol of the Indian summer, and for its early flowering that delights bees and butterflies. The first settlers of North America used their bark to dye linen and wool in a beautiful dark blue.

The Acer rubrum 'Sun Valley', was selected for its vigorous growth and its good resistance to cicada attacks, by the US National Arboretum. It is the result of cross-breeding between Acer rubrum 'Red Sunset' and Acer rubrum 'Autumn Flame'. It is particularly appreciated for its magnificent autumn colours.

It forms a small tree with an upright habit and an oval and dense crown. It reaches a height of 6 to 10 m (20 to 33ft). Its leaves are palmatilobate and slightly jagged. Reddish when they burst, they become dark green and shiny before turning bright red in autumn. Its autumn coloration is long-lasting. Its bark is grey. The 'Sun Valley' red maple is a sterile cultivar (without fruits). It only produces male flowers. In spring, they are red, arranged in umbels and especially melliferous.

Planted alone, the 'Sun Valley' red maple is ideal for a small garden. In autumn, it will provide the decor. It is an excellent shade tree, thanks to its dense foliage. It can also be integrated into a free hedge. In a large garden, combine it with other trees with autumn colours, such as the Yellowwood (Cladastris kentukea) or the Persian Ironwood.
Flower its base with 'Major' autumn crocus or with autumn-flowering asters like Aster ageratoides Asran with lavender-blue flowers or Dwarf Aster 'Schneekissen' with white flowers.

Attention: The leaves of the red maple are highly toxic to horses.