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Acer negundo 'FLAMINGO' ash-leaved maple, box elder
Acer
The genus Acer belongs among woody plants that appeared very early in the Northern Hemisphere, and whose basic form has changed remarkably little since then, unlike many other tree groups. Tertiary fossils from Europe, Asia and North America already show leaves and fruits that would be instantly recognisable today, including the characteristic paired samaras. In Czechia, one of the best known fossil sites is Bílina, where petrified maple leaves and fruits from the late Tertiary period testify that these trees were part of the local landscape long before the arrival of humans. Scientifically, the genus was described by Carl Linnaeus (1707–1778) in his seminal work Species Plantarum in 1753, although its internal classification has been repeatedly revised since then. Today, botanists regard East Asia, particularly China, Japan and the Himalayan region, as the true centre of species diversity within the genus. Maples occupy an exceptionally wide range of habitats, from subtropical mountain forests to the cold regions of the temperate zone. They are among the trees that have accompanied human landscapes and cultures for a very long time.
Acer negundo, ash-leaved maple or boxelder, originates from North America, where it formed part of the everyday life of Indigenous peoples as well as later European settlers for centuries. It naturally grows along rivers, in floodplains and in open woodlands, where it functions as a fast growing and highly adaptable tree. At times when sugar maple was not readily available, sugar was commonly produced from its sap, albeit with lower yields and a milder flavour. The species was introduced to Europe in 1688, when it was cultivated in the gardens at Fulham near London by Henry Compton (1632–1713), one of the most important introducers of North American woody plants of his time. From there, boxelder gradually spread into botanical gardens and parks throughout Europe. In what is now the Czech Republic, it has been documented since 1835, when it appeared in the Royal Game Reserve in Prague’s Stromovka, from where it quickly spread into castle parks, urban greenery and the open landscape. Often this spread was not intentional. Based on long term scientific studies, boxelder has been shown to possess a high degree of invasiveness, which has led to the botanical species being excluded from recommended plantings and actively removed in many locations. In horticultural practice, therefore, only selected, predominantly sterile cultivars are used, as they do not pose a comparable risk to surrounding vegetation.
Flamingo boxelder has long been a favourite among trees with variegated foliage and is a characteristic product of the garden aesthetics of the late twentieth century, when attention shifted from flower to leaf colour and structure. Its deciduous leaves are attractively marbled with white and pink, the pink tones being most pronounced in spring at bud break and gradually fading as the season progresses, while the white‑and‑green variegation remains strong and clearly legible throughout the entire growing season. The leaves are 20-25 cm in length, pinnate, usually composed of three to seven leaflets, and the overall effect is decorative and eye‑catching even from a moderate distance.
It is grown not only as a high standard single‑stemmed tree but, thanks to its rapid growth and good tolerance of pruning, is also frequently encountered in a vigorous shrubby form, where it is pruned back to maintain the desired height and to encourage intense spring colouring. Growth is fast and under garden conditions it typically reaches around 5–7 m in height with a similar spread; in urban plantings it is additionally valued for its tolerance of pollution and its ability to regenerate well after hard pruning.
The cultivar was raised by J. Bastiaanse in the Netherlands in 1976 and received the Award of Garden Merit (AGM) from the Royal Horticultural Society (RHS) in 1993. It replaced the older selection ‘Schwerinii’, which was considered lost in cultivation. To maintain its characteristic variegated appearance, occasional removal of reverted shoots is advisable; these have returned to plain green foliage and, if left unchecked, would gradually overgrow the variegated crown.
Boxelder maple requires virtually no maintenance. It is resistant to severe frost, wind, drought and temporary waterlogging. It is not prone to diseases and thrives in full sun as well as partial shade. It performs best in deeper, moist but well drained soils, yet it also tolerates drier sites and urban conditions. During the first three years after planting, the tree must be firmly staked to ensure proper anchorage and straight trunk development. During this period, grass and other plants should not be allowed to grow above the root zone. Pruning is not necessary, but it is possible, ideally in late winter before sap flow begins. Trees or shrubs subjected to regular renewal pruning develop dense branching with large leaves, enhancing their ornamental value. Frost hardiness is excellent, tolerating temperatures down to approximately −45 °C (USDA zone 2).
Last update 08-02-2011; 22-02-2026
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- STANDARD QUALITY - Plants of this group are 1st class quality with number of branches and overall density adequate to their size and age, considering they were container grown.
- DE LUXE QUALITY - This label guarantees a luxurious quality of manually selected plants that, compared to their height and age, are exceptionally dense and beautiful.
- EXTRA - These plants are usually mature and bigger specimens with exceptional overall appearance.
- STANDARD (as described in the plant form) means a tree with a trunk of 190-210 cm and a crown at the top, unless specified differently. The commercial size for trees is their girth measured in the height of 1m from ground.
- HOBBY - These plants are of the same quality as our standard-quality plants but younger and therefore cheaper.
- SHRUB - a woody plant with branches growing bushy from the ground level.
- HALF-STANDARD or MINI-STANDARD - a small tree with shorter trunk, its size is usually specified.
- FEATHERED - These are trees with branches growing already from the base of the trunk and up along the stem.
- GRASSES and PERENNIALS - Sizes given usually read the diameter of the pot or the clump, as specified.
