Gardening Guides
Gardening Guides
Top Ideabooks
See also
Gardening 101 Flowers and Plants Regional Garden Guides Spring Gardening Summer Gardening Fall Gardening Winter Gardening Edible Gardens Container Gardens Native Plants Gardening for Butterflies Gardening for Birds Beneficial Insects Planting Ideas Saving Water
Trees
Trees
Top Ideabooks
Appears in
Gardening Guides → Flowers and Plants
Northwest Gardening
Northwest Gardening
Top Ideabooks
Appears in
Gardening Guides → Regional Garden Guides
See also
Northwest Native Plants
Northeast Gardening
Northeast Gardening
Top Ideabooks
Appears in
Gardening Guides → Regional Garden Guides
See also
Northeast Native Plants
California Gardening
California Gardening
Top Ideabooks
Appears in
Gardening Guides → Regional Garden Guides
See also
California Native Plants
Mid-Atlantic Gardening
Mid-Atlantic Gardening
Top Ideabooks
Appears in
Gardening Guides → Regional Garden Guides
See also
Mid-Atlantic Native Plants
Central Plains Gardening
Central Plains Gardening
Top Ideabooks
Appears in
Gardening Guides → Regional Garden Guides
See also
Central Plains Native Plants
Fall Gardening
Fall Gardening
Top Ideabooks
Appears in
Gardening Guides

Great Design Plant: Paperbark Maple

With fall foliage like a sunset and bark the color of cinnamon, this tree is a highlight of the landscape

October 19, 2012
Houzz Contributor.
Comment2
Click "Embed" to display an article on your own website or blog.
Suited to small gardens but equally at home in larger landscapes, the paperbark maple is sure to become a favorite feature in your garden.
Traditional Landscape by Le jardinet
Le jardinet
Botanical name: Acer griseum
Common name: Paperbark maple
USDA zones: 4 to 8 (find your zone)
Water requirement: Water regularly until established
Light requirement: Full sun to partial shade
Mature size: 18 feet tall and 15 feet wide
Benefits and tolerances: Tolerates both clay and sandy soil; no pruning is necessary
Seasonal interest: Year-round
When to plant: Ideally in fall or spring; I have successfully planted this in August with daily irrigation.
Traditional Landscape by Le jardinet
Le jardinet
Distinguishing traits.
  • Striking cinnamon-colored exfoliating bark
  • Beautiful fall color
Traditional Landscape by Le jardinet
Le jardinet
How to use it. Play off the rich bark color by surrounding this maple with foliage and flowers in sunset shades of orange, gold and burgundy.

Orange montbretia (Crocosmia) look beautiful exploding from the base — even their seed heads form an exciting partnership, as seen here.

Avoid obscuring the tree with evergreen plants. Its bark is one of the highlights of the winter landscape.
Rustic Shed by Le jardinet
Le jardinet
Consider the backdrop against which the tree is seen. In this photograph the warm cedar shingles are a perfect foil for the fall foliage and bark.
Paperbark maple (Acer griseum)
Planting notes.
  • Dig a hole as deep as the root ball and twice as wide.
  • Amend the soil you have removed with about 20 percent well-rotted compost.
  • Add some bonemeal to the planting hole and mix it in — this promotes root growth.
  • Add the tree to the hole and backfill carefully, tamping down gently.
  • Water thoroughly.
  • If you feel staking is necessary, be sure to allow some movement — this actually helps promote stronger roots.
  • Keep the tree well watered for the first two years; after that just water during prolonged dry spells.
Comment2
Shop Related Categories
Live Plants Live Plants Watering & Irrigation Watering & Irrigation Gardening Tools Gardening Tools Outdoor Pots & Planters Outdoor Pots & Planters Garden Statues & Yard Art Garden Statues & Yard Art Compost Bins Compost Bins

News From Our Partners

Related Products

Dining Chair Sunbrella Fabric Outdoor Cushion With Piping, Canvas White
Dining Chair Sunbrella Fabric Outdoor Cushion With Piping, Canvas White
$61.99
Metallic Series Long Box Planter, Black, Large
Metallic Series Long Box Planter, Black, Large
$192.94
Modern Font House Number, Brushed, 8", Number 1
Modern Font House Number, Brushed, 8", Number 1
$29.99
Bronze Garden Crane Pair Statue, Upright and Preening Set
Bronze Garden Crane Pair Statue, Upright and Preening Set
$249.99
Live Art Pole, 20"
Live Art Pole, 20"
$51
Wall Mount Steel Mail Box Lockable Letterbox With Door and 2 Keys Security
Wall Mount Steel Mail Box Lockable Letterbox With Door and 2 Keys Security
$22.79
Sponsored
Fresh Start Contracting Company
60 Reviews
Middlesex County Premier General Contractor
Best of Houzz 2016 & 2017
Fresh Start Contracting is a general contracting firm specializing in renovations for your most valuable asset,... Read More
Sponsored
Comments (2)
Thank you for reporting this comment. Undo
laurielynne
This is a very timely article. Just yesterday I noticed a row of trees with cinnamon coloured, papery bark and was wondering what kind they were. Now I know. Oh, and even though the article states that they are planted in zone 4 and above, I'm in Canada and my zone is 3 and they seem to be doing very well. I'm just sad that there were no leaves on it at this time of year - I would have loved to have seen the fall display.
3 Likes    
Thank you for reporting this comment. Undo
PRO
Le jardinet
So glad to hear you can enjoy them in zone 3 too! Even without their foliage you could enjoy them this fall and winter. Mine is just beginning to change color now- too slow for this article!
1 Like    

Related Stories

SH Beds & Headboards 5-Star-Rated Bedroom Furniture
By Houzz
Design your dream space with these popular beds, dressers, nightstands and more
See Products
Red Foliage 5 Uncommon Trees for Gorgeous Fall Color
By Andrew Keys
Ideas for mixing up your fall foliage palette with colors and shapes your neighbors don't have
Full Story
Flowers and Plants Garden-Friendly Native Alternatives to Overplanted Exotics
By Benjamin Vogt
There are lots of gorgeous, wildlife-friendly native plants ready to make an appearance in your garden
Full Story
Central Plains Gardening Great Design Plant: River Birch
By Charlotte Albers
Pick this rugged native tree for its intriguing peeling bark, soil adaptability or leaves that bring dappled shade to a garden
Full Story
Lime Foliage Great Design Plant: Coral Bark Japanese Maple, a Winter Standout
By Charlotte Albers
Go for garden gusto during the chilly season with the fiery red stems of this unusual Japanese maple
Full Story
SH Sale Up to 75% Off Oversized Area Rugs
By Houzz
Bring comfort and expansive style to your bigger spaces
See Products
Trees The Weepers and the Creepers: 10 Intriguing Trees for Your Garden
By Jay Sifford
Bring something a little different to your landscape with a tree that dives, twists or crawls
Full Story
Gold Foliage Great Design Plant: 'Forever Goldie' Arborvitae
By Karen Chapman
As soft as a teddy bear, this golden conifer adds year-round interest to the garden
Full Story
California Gardening 5 Best-Behaved Trees to Grace a Patio
By Bill Marken
Big enough for shade but small enough for easy care, these amiable trees mind their manners in a modest outdoor space
Full Story
White Flowers Great Design Plant: Kousa Dogwood
By Becky Harris
This four-season landscape star offers lovely pink bracts, bumpy summer berries and more
Full Story
| ABOUT | CAREERS | MOBILE APPS | PROFESSIONALS | BUTTONS | ADVERTISE | SELL | |
Terms & Privacy
Houzz Inc. © 2019