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Flame Amur Maple (Acer ginnala ‘Flame’)

Flame Amur Maple (Acer ginnala ‘Flame’)

Also known as: Acer ginnala 'Flame'.

The Flame Amur Maple (Acer ginnala ‘Flame’) stands out as an excellent addition to various landscapes, thanks to its relatively small size, reaching heights of 5 to 6 meters at maturity. This makes it an ideal choice for locations with limited space, including compact gardens, urban parks, and residential areas. The arrival of spring is announced by its striking orange-red buds, setting the stage for a season-long spectacle. Throughout summer, its foliage maintains a deep green hue, which transitions into a breathtaking palette of reds, yellows, and oranges in autumn, injecting a vibrant splash of color into any environment. Additionally, the Flame Amur Maple is remarkably versatile, thriving in a range of soil conditions and climates, thereby offering gardeners a resilient and visually captivating option for enhancing their outdoor spaces.

Interesting facts about the Flame Amur Maple:

  1. Crimson Tapestry: The Flame Amur Maple is renowned for its vibrant and captivating fall foliage. Its leaves transform into a spectacular array of scarlet, crimson, and orange hues, creating a fiery display that illuminates the autumn landscape.
  2. Acer’s Ancient Lineage: The genus Acer, to which the Flame Amur Maple belongs, is believed to have evolved over 60 million years ago. This ancient lineage has given rise to a diverse group of maple trees known for their ornamental and ecological significance.
  3. Native Charms: Unlike many other maple species, the Flame Amur Maple is native to Northeast Asia, specifically China, Korea, and Japan. Its hardiness and adaptability have made it a popular choice for ornamental plantings in various regions worldwide.
  4. Honey Haven: The flowers of the Flame Amur Maple are a valuable source of nectar for bees. During the spring, these small, inconspicuous blossoms produce abundant nectar, attracting pollinators and contributing to the local ecosystem.
  5. Bonsai Beauty: The Flame Amur Maple is a popular choice for bonsai enthusiasts. Its compact size, attractive foliage, and ability to tolerate pruning make it well-suited for the art of miniature tree cultivation.
  6. Therapeutic Traditions: In traditional Eastern medicine, the bark of the Flame Amur Maple has been used for its purported medicinal properties. It contains compounds believed to have anti-inflammatory and anti-diarrheal effects.
  7. Symbolism in Japan: In Japanese culture, the Flame Amur Maple is known as “momiji” and holds cultural significance. Its fiery fall foliage symbolizes the transient nature of life and is often associated with the concept of “mono no aware,” a profound appreciation for the beauty of impermanence.

Plant care guide:

Watering

The Flame Amur Maple typically needs watering once a week, particularly during dry spells, to ensure the soil remains moist up to a depth of 15 centimeters. In case of extended droughts, it's beneficial to water the plant twice a week to promote healthy growth. While this maple thrives in moist, well-drained soil, it's quite adaptable and can withstand some dry conditions.

Sunlight

The Flame Amur Maple thrives when it gets full sunlight, which is crucial for its growth and the vibrant color of its foliage. It should bask in sunlight for 4-6 hours daily year-round. The bright, direct light during spring and summer months is particularly important for bringing out the deepest and most vivid colors in its leaves. In the winter, ensuring it receives at least 2 hours of sunlight daily is essential to maintain its lively hues.

Pruning

To keep your Flame Amur Maple healthy and looking its best, it's advised to prune it in the late winter or early spring, just before the spring growth starts. Focus on light pruning, aiming to thin out the canopy slightly to let more light through. It's important to remove any dead, broken, weak, or branches that cross over others, as well as any diseased parts or sections that detract from the tree's appearance or aren't necessary. Additionally, remove any suckers growing from the tree's base to direct growth energy upwards. Always use clean, sharp tools and follow proper pruning techniques to prevent disease and avoid cutting into the tree's larger branches or main trunk, as this can damage the tree.

Plant information:

  • Family: Sapindaceae
  • Type: Tree
  • Height: ~6.1 meters
  • Cycle: Perennial
  • Growth Rate: High
  • Anatomy:
    • Trunk: brown
    • Branches: dark-brown
    • Twigs: dark-brown
    • Leaves: yellow-orange
  • Care Level: Moderate
  • Watering:
    • ~15 cm
    • Every 7-10 days
  • Sunlight requirement: full sun
  • Pruning:
    • February, March, April, May
  • Propagation: Cutting, Grafting Propagation, Layering Propagation, Air Layering Propagation, Stooling, Root Division
  • Origin: China, North Korea, Russia, Japan
  • Seeds: No
  • Drought Tolerant: Yes
  • Salt Tolerant: No
  • Thorny: No
  • Invasive: No
  • Tropical: No
  • Indoor: No
  • Flowers: No
  • Cones: No
  • Fruits: No
  • Edible Fruit: No
  • Leaf: Yes
  • Edible Leaf: No
  • Cuisine: No
  • Medicinal: No
  • Poisonous to Humans: No
  • Poisonous to Pets: No
Hardiness Zone Map
Plant Hardiness Zone: 3

Sources & more information:

Content is based on public databases such as the KEW Plants of the World database, among others. Please double-check all information. "About Plants" does not take responsibility for any inaccuracies.