Acer conspicuum 'RED FLAMINGO'

Even among a hundred trees you will notice this one first. Such a colourful small tree must have been brought direct from Mars! Moreover, it is so unique and special that the botanists cannot decide whether to list as acer conspicuum or acer rubescens.

Red Flamingo is a stunning variety of snakebark maple making a breathtaking display wherever you put it. The most attractive feature are its colours. Mid-green leaves are marbled white as if you splashed the tree with a can of white paint and then threw a pink chiffon all over the plant. The young and fully insolate leaves have rich pink shades. Sounds good already? We are not finished yet: I think the best bit is the colour of branches and bark. The twigs are vivid pinky-red, shining like a neon light, and the bark is bright red with white stripes.

This variety is a selection found in W.J.Hoofman Nurseries in the Netherlands as a sport of another snakebark maple called Silver Cardinal. It grows medium fast, making almost horizontal or even slightly drooping new branches. Red Flamingo is a small tree or a mid-sized shrub suitable even for small gardens.

These maples have limited requirements – grow them in full sun which is best for their colours or in part shade. They are not fussy about soil type, it just needs to be well-drained. Do not over fertilize. Considered unsuitable for exposed sites. Fully hardy to min. -24°C (USDA zone 6) or more.

Last update 16-08-2008