{"product_id":"acer-rubrum-autumn-red","title":"Acer rubrum 'Autumn Red'","description":"\u003ch2\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eCanadian Maple — Autumn Red\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eBotanical Name:\u003c\/strong\u003e \u003cem\u003eAcer rubrum\u003c\/em\u003e 'Autumn Red'\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eFamily:\u003c\/strong\u003e Sapindaceae\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eOrigin:\u003c\/strong\u003e Eastern North America\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003ePlant Type:\u003c\/strong\u003e Deciduous feature and shade tree\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch3\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eOverview\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/h3\u003e\u003cp\u003eAcer rubrum 'Autumn Red' is a large, vigorous deciduous shade tree prized across Australian gardens and parklands for its spectacular seasonal transformation — a dense green summer canopy giving way each autumn to one of the boldest scarlet-to-crimson displays available outside of a Japanese garden. Notably, this cultivar holds its green colour later into the season than many comparable red maples before igniting into brilliant orange-red and deep lipstick crimson. A straight central leader with ascending branches matures into a broad oval-to-rounded crown delivering substantial summer shade while providing year-round structural beauty.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch3\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eKey Features\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/h3\u003e\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eMature Size:\u003c\/strong\u003e 10–13 m H × 8–10 m W\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eGrowth Rate:\u003c\/strong\u003e Fast; 45–70 cm per year; strong upright growth in youth with ascending branches, broadening progressively to a full oval-rounded canopy at maturity\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eFoliage:\u003c\/strong\u003e Deciduous; deep green, 3–5-lobed maple leaves in spring and summer; foliage holds green longer than most red maple cultivars before transitioning to brilliant scarlet and deep lipstick crimson in autumn — colour intensity is best with cool autumn nights\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eFlowers:\u003c\/strong\u003e Dense clusters of small, showy crimson flowers emerge along bare branches in late winter to early spring (August–September in SA), well ahead of new foliage; non-fragrant\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eSeasonal Interest:\u003c\/strong\u003e Late-winter crimson flowers on bare stems; fresh green spring foliage; dense cooling shade canopy in summer; incandescent scarlet-crimson autumn display; clean architectural winter silhouette\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eWildlife Value:\u003c\/strong\u003e Late-winter flowers provide an early nectar source for bees and native insects; paired winged samaras attract seed-eating birds; broad canopy provides nesting and sheltering habitat through spring and summer\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eTolerance:\u003c\/strong\u003e Frost hardy (handles heavy and repeated frost without damage); adapts to moist and seasonally wet soils; tolerates part shade; suits cool to temperate climates\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003ePlanting Density:\u003c\/strong\u003e Feature or specimen planting — allow a minimum 8 m clearance from buildings, utilities, and neighbouring trees; avenue or park row planting — space trees 6–8 m apart centre-to-centre for a seasonal colour corridor\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003ePet Friendly:\u003c\/strong\u003e Non-toxic to dogs and cats. Important — wilted fallen leaves are highly toxic to horses and can cause serious illness; do not plant in or directly adjacent to horse paddocks or equine grazing areas\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\u003ch3\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWhere It Works Best\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/h3\u003e\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eSunlight:\u003c\/strong\u003e Full sun preferred for densest canopy and richest autumn colour; tolerates part shade — morning sun with afternoon protection suits hotter SA locations well\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eSoil:\u003c\/strong\u003e Prefers deep, moist, humus-rich loam; tolerates clay and seasonally wet ground provided drainage is reasonable; avoid shallow sandy or highly alkaline soils\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eWater Needs:\u003c\/strong\u003e Establishment (first 2 years): water 2–3 times per week during warm months, reducing to once per week in cooler months. Established: moderate — water weekly throughout summer, fortnightly in autumn and spring, minimal in winter; deep watering during summer heat events is essential for colour performance\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eMaintenance:\u003c\/strong\u003e Low once established; apply a generous mulch layer annually to retain moisture and keep roots cool; prune only to remove dead, crossing, or structurally weak branches — carry out in late winter while fully dormant\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eLifespan:\u003c\/strong\u003e 80–150+ years\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eClimate Zones:\u003c\/strong\u003e Best in the Adelaide Hills, Mt Lofty Ranges, Barossa Valley, and Clare Valley where cold autumn nights intensify colour; performs well with supplemental irrigation across the Adelaide Plains and northern suburbs; autumn colour can be muted in warm coastal zones; not suited to hot arid regions without reliable irrigation\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eSoil pH:\u003c\/strong\u003e Slightly acid to neutral preferred (pH 5.5–7.0); avoid strongly alkaline soils — high pH causes interveinal chlorosis; amend with sulfur and organic matter in lime-rich SA soils before planting\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\u003ch3\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eLandscape \u0026amp; Design Ideas\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/h3\u003e\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003ePlant as a solitary specimen on a large lawn or open parkland where the autumn transformation can be appreciated from every angle — underplant with low deciduous perennials or spring bulbs that follow the same seasonal rhythm\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eUse in formal double-row avenue plantings at 6–8 m spacing to create a dramatic seasonal colour corridor in parks, schools, wineries, and estate driveways\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eCombine with complementary deciduous trees — ornamental pears, golden elms, and liquidambars — in larger garden or council plantings for a multi-hue autumn palette spanning gold through to deep crimson\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\u003ch3\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWhy You Will Love It\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/h3\u003e\u003cp\u003eFew trees earn their space the way 'Autumn Red' does — four seasons of genuine value: bold crimson flowers on bare winter stems, a lush green canopy that outperforms most shade trees through summer, and then, when the season finally turns, an incandescent blaze of scarlet and crimson that stops people in their tracks. Plant it once and it will still be turning heads long after you are gone.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Adelaide Plant Co","offers":[{"title":"400mm Pot","offer_id":68039633142012,"sku":"ACER-RUBR-AUTU-RED-400MM-SO","price":211.0,"currency_code":"AUD","in_stock":true},{"title":"100L Grow Bag","offer_id":68049308090620,"sku":"ACER-RUBR-AUTU-RED-100L-SO","price":550.0,"currency_code":"AUD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0750\/9282\/0220\/files\/Acer-rubrum-red-canadian-maple-400mm-pot-adelaide-plant-co.jpg?v=1793344501","url":"https:\/\/adelaideplantco.com.au\/products\/acer-rubrum-autumn-red","provider":"Adelaide Plant Co","version":"1.0","type":"link"}