Acer platanoides ‘Crimson King’ is an ornamental variety valued for its intense purple-red foliage that remains decorative throughout the growing season.

It appears as a deciduous tree with an erect growth habit and a dense, rounded crown, reaching an average height of between 10 and 15 metres (up to 20 in optimal conditions) and a crown width of approximately 8–12 metres. Large, palmate, five-lobed leaves emerge in spring with a very dark red-purple color that doesn’t fade during the summer, making the tree a visually striking element in any landscape. In spring, before the leaves appear, it produces small yellow-green flowers gathered in inflorescences, followed by winged fruits (samaras).

It prefers full sun positions, where the leaf color is most vivid, but can also tolerate partial shade.

It adapts to various soil types as long as they are well-drained, cool, and fertile, showing good tolerance to lime and moderate resistance to drought once well-established. It is highly cold-resistant (down to -25°C) and suitable for urban environments due to its tolerance to pollution. It doesn’t require frequent pruning, except to maintain shape or remove dry branches.

Thanks to its compact structure and the decorative color of its foliage, Acer platanoides ‘Crimson King’ is ideal as a specimen tree in gardens, parks, or tree-lined avenues, where it can provide shade and strong ornamental value for much of the year.

→ Discover also the Acer palmatum ‘Bloodgood’, a compact variety with dark red foliage, ideal even for small gardens