Acer rubrum ‘October Glory’

October Glory Red Maple (Acer rubrum 'October Glory') is grown for one thing above all: a late, deep scarlet autumn display that holds on the tree longer than most maples manage. It makes a shapely deciduous shade tree of about 9m tall and 5m across, with a neat oval head and small red flowers on bare wood at the end of winter. Given cool nights and reliable moisture, nothing in an Australian street beats it in May.

Why you'll love it

• Late, intense autumn colour. The turn comes weeks after other maples have finished, in deep scarlet rather than a washed out orange.
• Fast for a maple. It puts on useful height each year, so an advanced tree gives real shade within a few seasons.
• Good with damp ground. Unusually for a feature tree it tolerates wet feet, which suits low lying lawns and heavier soils.
• A tidy shape. The canopy is naturally oval and balanced, so it needs almost no shaping.

Where it works best

Shade over a lawn. One tree shades a seating area through summer, then drops its leaves and hands back the winter sun.

Feature planting. The autumn display is the reason to buy it, so plant it where it is seen from indoors, not down the side of the block.

Driveways and avenues. Space trees about 5m apart to match the mature spread. Any tighter and the canopies push each other sideways instead of forming even heads.

Growing October Glory Red Maple in Australia

Position and climate. Full sun to light shade in cool temperate and warm temperate gardens. This is a tree for Melbourne, Adelaide, Canberra, Tasmania and the tablelands. It is frost hardy, but not a subtropical or arid climate tree, and it disappoints in a hot dry garden.

Soil. Deep, moisture retentive soil, slightly acidic if you have the choice. It handles heavier ground and periods of wet better than most trees, but it resents shallow, dry, alkaline soil.

Water and feed. Moisture is the one thing it will not compromise on. Deep soak weekly through the first three summers, then in dry spells. A complete slow release fertiliser in early spring, with 75mm of mulch kept clear of the trunk.

Pruning. Very little needed. Prune in late winter while dormant, removing crossing or damaged limbs only. Avoid cutting in spring, when maples bleed sap heavily.

What to expect when it arrives

It is grown in six sizes, from 400mm and 500mm pots through 45L, 75L and 100L to a 200L specimen. The 400mm and 45L trees are young standards with a clear trunk and a forming head, and suit most gardens. From 100L up you are buying real height and canopy on day one, and you will want two people and a trolley.

Deciduous stock may arrive bare or barely leafed depending on the season, which is normal. Expect the first year to go into roots, with strong extension growth from the second. Delivered Australia wide, with delivery from $29.95 and a minimum order of $300 before delivery. Advanced and large stock is freighted at cost, and every tree carries our 30 day healthy plant guarantee.

Plant care guides and related reading

• Compare trees and plants grown for autumn colour
• Browse the full deciduous tree range
• Plants that change colour through the year
• Advanced trees for immediate impact

Common questions

Will it colour up in a warm climate?

Only partly. The scarlet display depends on cold autumn nights, so cool temperate gardens get the full effect while mild coastal areas see a shorter, softer turn.

How fast does it grow?

Fast for a maple once the roots are established, given water. Growth slows noticeably in dry ground, which is the most common reason a young tree stalls.

Are the roots safe near paving?

Maple roots run shallow and can lift paving over time. Allow at least 4m of clearance from slabs, paths and services, and water deeply so roots are not drawn to the surface.