Bring spectacular autumn colour home with 25% off acers at Radway Bridge Garden Centre, Hereford, while stocks last. Prices start from £26.99 before discount.
From fiery scarlet and glowing orange to rich burgundy and golden yellow, acers make autumn something to look forward to. Their beautifully shaped leaves and graceful branches bring character to a garden, whether you have room for a statement tree or a single feature pot beside your favourite seat.
Often known as Japanese maples, these deciduous trees offer much more than one season of interest. Fresh spring foliage, colourful summer leaves and striking autumn displays make them rewarding plants to watch throughout the year. Once the leaves fall, their branching shapes bring a quieter beauty to the winter garden.
Our current selection includes contrasting leaf shapes, colours and growth habits. Here are some varieties to look out for.
Compact acers for pots and smaller spaces
For a patio, courtyard or smaller border, choose an acer whose eventual size and shape suit the space. Slower-growing and spreading forms can create a beautiful focal point without overwhelming their surroundings.
Acer palmatum ‘Red Pygmy’ has slender, ribbon-like leaves that give it a wonderfully delicate appearance. Its red foliage and compact habit make it an attractive choice for a feature container, where you can appreciate those fine details close up.
Acer palmatum ‘Dissectum’ brings a softer, lace-like texture, with finely divided green leaves and a low, spreading habit. Its gently cascading branches look particularly effective beside a path or in a generous pot, with golden autumn colour adding another seasonal highlight.
Acer shirasawanum ‘Autumn Moon’ offers a different look, with rounded, fan-shaped leaves in yellow-green shades, often flushed with warm orange tones. A relatively slow-growing choice, it deserves a sheltered position where its changing colours can be enjoyed.
Compact does not mean permanently tiny: give your acer room to develop and check its mature dimensions before planting.
Larger-growing acers for beautiful garden features
If you have more space, an upright or broader-growing acer can become a lasting feature, bringing height, structure and seasonal colour to a border.
Acer palmatum ‘Bloodgood’ has deeply lobed, dark purple-red leaves that turn brilliant crimson in autumn. Its upright shape makes it a striking focal point among greener planting.
Acer palmatum ‘Atropurpureum’ offers elegant, purple-red foliage followed by fiery autumn shades, while ‘Moonfire’ is another beautiful option for lovers of rich, dark leaves.
Acer palmatum ‘Katsura’ brings orange-tinted spring growth, green summer foliage and warm autumn colour. For particularly dramatic leaf shapes, Acer japonicum ‘Aconitifolium’ has deeply divided foliage that develops spectacular red autumn tones.
Give acers a sheltered position away from strong winds, with moist but well-drained soil. Dappled shade suits many varieties; purple-leaved forms benefit from some sun. Water containers regularly and avoid waterlogging.
Visit our Plant Area at Radway Bridge Garden Centre, Whitestone, Hereford, to choose your favourite while the offer lasts. Our Plant Team can help you find the right acer for your space and advise on planting and care.
