Acer monspessulanum

Mediterranean plants have long been rejected by Czech horticulturists on a simple premise: their origin does not give good chances for survival in our continental climate with occasional strong winters. Having said that one must wonder how come that our landscape and nurseries are flooded with plants of Asian origin where the climate is even more different. Thanks to collectors, plant enthusiasts, and amateur growers who tirelessly continue trialling new plants in their own pioneer gardens our landscape is now much more diverse that what it used to be some 100 years ago. And with the new millennium it appears that more than strong winters we will need to worry about lack of precipitation and general absence of water in higher soil level. It gives ground for those who specialize in drought tolerant plants such as trees and shrubs living in Mediterranean macchias, if they also exhibit sufficient winter hardiness. One of them is Montpellier maple.

Montpellier maple is a typical Mediterranean tree commonly found in dry, coastal or mountainous landscapes of Portugal, France, and Italy. It makes small, three-lobed, leathery but deciduous leaves, which are medium green in summer, and turn yellow, amber orange or scarlet red in autumn. Its flowers are samaras, they appear in May and are followed by winged fruit. Montpellier maple grows slowly into a small, densely branched tree with rounded to dome-shaped crown with age. Its small size makes it an ideal tree for front yards and small gardens, it is also a sought after plant for bonsai making. Natural shrubby habit is usually sought after by collectors of Mediterranean plants.

This maple, unlike many other maples, is one of the most drought tolerant species. Once established it does not need extra watering ever. It will grow in almost any soil type if it is well-drained. In acid soil the autumn colour of leaves will be rich scarlet red, in lime-based soil the foliage will be rich yellow to golden orange. In needs full sun only and a warm location. It loves heat, does not mind wind, but will not perform in cold pockets. It is rated hardy to min. -29°C (USDA zone 5), but many growers confirm its ability to withstand a few degrees lower.

Last update 15-11-2019