ACER negundo ‘Kelly’s Gold’

Description

The Plant

ACER negunda ‘Kelly’s Gold’ is a box elder maple that develops male flowers on bare wood in early spring. These are composed of clusters of hanging threads. This is quite a unique phenomenon and gives it a very distinctive appearance (see photos).

Then emerges the bright yellow foliage that will remain throughout the summer, illuminating the garden.

Afterward, in autumn, the same foliage turns to an even lighter yellow to enhance the display.

Finally, in winter, the rounded and light shape with airy branches forms an important structural element.

Despite being a relatively small tree, it grows quite quickly. This is quite remarkable for a small tree.

How to plant and care for ACER negundo ‘Kelly’s Gold’?

Planting

Despite being an exceptionally easy plant, consider the following points to fully benefit from the strengths of this box elder maple:

1. Find it a spot in full sun, preferably sheltered from strong winds. Full sun is essential to achieve an intense color.
2. The soil can be light, normal, or heavy.
3. The location can range from fresh to moist, moderate, or dry, with an acidic, neutral, or calcareous pH.

For proper preparation of the planting hole, we have designed specific instructions available here.

Care

Ensure regular watering during the first two years, especially during dry periods, to promote proper establishment. Furthermore, discover here how to water your garden and save water.

In addition, you can prune the plant in January and February (before flowering) if necessary. Moreover, this small tree is very well-suited to transparent pruning, which further enhances its design and the flowering phenomenon described above.

History and Origin

The ACER negundo species originates from North America. Its natural habitat extends from Canada to Honduras. Nevertheless, the box elder maple has also become widespread on other continents around the world.

The ACER negunda ‘Kelly’s Gold’ variety was developed and cultivated for its very yellow foliage. It is much less common, even rare. Its relatively fast growth makes it an excellent plant for providing shade.

To conclude, A. negundo ‘Kelly’s Gold’ is among the hardy plants. It adds a touch of brightness while remaining easy to grow.