Acer monspessulanum L.

Attractive glossy foliage is produced by the slow-growing Acer monspessulanum subsp. turcomanicum . Image P. Banaszczak.

Eight subspecies, five varieties and one form of A. monspessulanum were recognised by van Gelderen et al. (1994), but only subsp. monspessulanum, subsp. ibericum and subsp. turcomanicum appear to be in cultivation. It is most commonly observed in its typical form, which is the only subspecies native to Europe (van Gelderen et al. 1994). Those from further afield are mostly distinguishable from one another in their floral characters (Yaltirik 1967), and while illustrations of Acer monspessulanum often illustrate small, uniformly three-lobed leaves, the species is in fact rather more variable in leaf characters. More five-lobed leaves than expected were apparent on plants collected from southern Italy under WITA 48 and 59, which are currently establishing at Westonbirt Arboretum, Gloucestershire. A plant of TUDI 173, from western Turkey, is growing slowly but steadily there also.

As Bean (1976) states, the species does well in and near London, with impressive old examples at Kew. The UK and Ireland champion, growing on the Munden Estate, Hertfordshire, measured 17 m tall in 2018 (The Tree Register 2018). Younger examples on the Whiteknights Campus of the University of Reading also enjoy the heat of the south east of England, though it also grows well in the north of the country, with an example at Blagdon Hall, Northumberland, measured at 14 m in 2013 (The Tree Register 2018). The species is also present in numerous collections in North America, including the Arnold Arboretum, Boston, The Morton Arboretum, Illinois and the University of Washington Botanic Gardens (American Public Gardens Association 2017). At its best, as well as a fine show of flowers in spring, Acer monspessulanum produces strong, orange autumn colour. As noted by Grimshaw and Bayton (2009, p. 91), ‘Acer monspessulanum is a charming small tree that deserves wider planting’. It is apparently also used as a hedge plant in the south of Europe. Bean (1976).

Acer monspessulanum flowering at Castle Howard, North Yorkshire, March 2019. Image John Grimshaw..

Acer monspessulanum subsp. monspessulanum in Aspromonte National Park, southern Italy. Image Dan Crowley.

subsp. ibericum (Bieb.) Yalt.

This eastern variant was introduced from Iran, by Ann Ala and Roy Lancaster in 1972, where it grew as a small 6 m tree in rich woody vegetation on the northern slope of the Elburz mountains (R. Lancaster, pers. comm. 2007). Several specimens from this collection (Lancaster & Ala 8) are growing slowly at the Sir Harold Hillier Gardens, ranging in height between 3 m and 4 m by 2006. A specimen at Westonbirt has been somewhat slower growing, though likely owing to it being moved from its original planting spot in 2009 to another location, where it grows on heavy soil. It has good yellow autumn colour (R. Lancaster, pers. comm. 2007).

subsp. turcomanicum (Pojark.) A.E. Murray

Although rather shrubby, Acer monspessulanum subsp. turcomanicum earns its place by the effective contrast of its red samaras against the green foliage. It would be ideal for a well-drained sunny bank. It is not common but is commercially available in Europe, and there are a few notable specimens in collections. At the Hillier Gardens a tree planted in 1988 was 5 m in 2005. It has been very slow-growing at the Rogów Arboretum, where one planted in 1959 is still only 2–3 m tall, although perfectly hardy there (P. Banaszczak, pers. comm. 2007).