Norway maple (Acer platanoides 'Crimson King')
Acer platanoides 'Crimson King', a striking Norway Maple cultivar, provides deep maroon foliage all summer. Ideal USDA Zones 3-7.
Scroll down to discover growing tips, care requirements, companion plants, and more
Complete Plant Information
Overview
The Acer platanoides ‘Crimson King’, commonly known as the Norway maple cultivar, is highly valued in landscapes for its dramatically rich, deep maroon foliage that persists throughout the entire growing season. Unlike the standard species, this cultivar provides consistent color, making it a reliable specimen tree where deep purple accents are desired. It is a medium-sized, deciduous tree recognized for its dense, symmetrical crown, offering excellent shade potential.
As a Norway maple, the ‘Crimson King’ is known for being exceptionally hardy and adaptable, thriving where many other ornamental trees struggle. Its low maintenance level makes it attractive for both urban environments and large residential gardens needing reliable structure and color. While its fall color is often unremarkable, the summer-long crimson dramatically elevates its aesthetic appeal over standard green maples.
This selection is noted for its tolerance to various urban stresses, including heat and air pollution, solidifying its role as a tough specimen tree. Gardeners should plan for its mature size, ensuring adequate space for its spreading canopy and consideration for its aggressive, shallow root system. The Acer platanoides ‘Crimson King’ offers bold color with minimal yearly care requirements.
Fast Facts
- Plant Family: Sapindaceae
- Plant Type: Tree
- Hardiness Zones: USDA Zones 3-7
- Size at Maturity:
- Height: 30-40 ft
- Spread: 20-40 ft
- Bloom Time: March to April
- Bloom Description: Maroon yellow
- Sun Exposure: Full sun to part shade
- Water Needs: Medium
- Maintenance Level: Low
How to Grow
Planting the Acer platanoides ‘Crimson King’ is best accomplished in spring or fall, allowing the extensive root system time to establish before temperature extremes strike. This Norway maple thrives in average, medium moisture, well-drained soil, though it is notably tolerant of a wide range of soil types. For the best foliage color intensity, ensure it receives full sun, although it tolerates part shade.
Water needs are medium; established trees are quite resilient, showing good tolerance to drought once settled into the landscape. Fertilization is generally unnecessary unless the tree is showing signs of nutrient deficiency in poor urban soils. Pruning should be minimal, ideally performed only to remove crossing or damaged limbs, remembering that leaf stems exude a milky sap when cut.
A critical consideration for growing the Acer platanoides ‘Crimson King’ is its shallow root system. Avoid planting within 8-10 feet of pavement, as these roots can heave sidewalks or driveways over time. Furthermore, the dense canopy, characteristic of the Norway maple, severely limits the ability of turf or other low-growing plants to thrive directly beneath its drip line.
Landscape Uses
The primary function of the Acer platanoides ‘Crimson King’ is as a definitive shade tree, offering a massive canopy perfect for cooling patios or large lawns. The intense, consistent summer color provided by this cultivar distinguishes it from the typical green Norway maple, adding deep contrast in mixed plantings. While it was historically recommended as a street tree due to its hardiness, many municipalities now discourage its use because of the aggressive, shallow surface roots.
When integrating this tree into a design, place it where its deep purple leaves can contrast beautifully with chartreuse or silver-leaved companions, such as certain hostas or spireas planted outside the immediate root zone. It creates an excellent focal point against lighter-colored architecture, showcasing the dense, rounded crown year after year.
If space allows, plant the Acer platanoides ‘Crimson King’ as a specimen where its size will not compete with nearby structures or underground utilities. Because of its heavy shade cast and root competition, consider using groundcovers adapted to dry shade or simply utilizing mulch under the canopy rather than struggling turfgrass.
Standout Features
Flower Qualities
- Showy
Noteworthy Characteristics
Acer platanoides, commonly called Norway maple, is native to Europe and has been widely planted across the U.S. It forms a medium-sized deciduous shade tree with a dense, symmetrical, rounded crown, featuring five-lobed leaves similar to sugar maples, which exude milky sap when cut. The specific cultivar ‘Crimson King’ is distinguished by its rich maroon leaves that maintain their color throughout the summer, along with purple fruits, though the fall color remains unremarkable. Flowers appear in spring before the foliage emerges, giving way to paired samaras that display horizontally spreading wings.
Tolerances
- Drought
- Air Pollution
Potential Problems
A significant concern for growers of the Norway maple, including the ‘Crimson King’ cultivar, is susceptibility to verticillium wilt, a fungal disease that is frequently fatal. Furthermore, the tree develops a shallow root system that tends to spread near the surface, often leading to cracked or heaved sidewalks and driveways nearby. These shallow surface roots also compete aggressively with turfgrass, making establishing a healthy lawn beneath the canopy difficult. Younger specimens are also prone to sunscald and winter cracking on the bark when temperatures fluctuate rapidly.
Frequently Asked Questions
What hardiness zones is Norway maple suitable for?
The Acer platanoides ‘Crimson King’ is typically suitable for USDA Zones 3 through 7.
How large does Acer platanoides ‘Crimson King’ grow?
At maturity, this Norway maple cultivar usually reaches a height between 30 and 40 feet, with a spread ranging from 20 to 40 feet.
What sun exposure does Norway maple need?
Optimal growth and best color development for Acer platanoides ‘Crimson King’ occur in full sun, though it will adapt to part shade conditions.
When does Norway maple bloom?
The characteristic maroon-yellow flowers of the Acer platanoides ‘Crimson King’ generally appear in early spring, between March and April, always before the deep foliage fully emerges.
Conclusion
The Acer platanoides ‘Crimson King’ remains a popular choice for gardeners valuing sustained, dramatic color and reliable shade production, thanks to its low maintenance profile and tough nature. While the Norway maple family presents challenges regarding surface roots, the summer-long crimson leaves of this cultivar deliver exceptional ornamental value. Before planting this variety, carefully assess your site conditions to ensure adequate room for its mature size and confirm that USDA Zones 3-7 align with your region.
Companion Planting
When selecting plants to place near the Acer platanoides ‘Crimson King’, focus on shade-tolerant species that do not mind dry conditions once the maple is established. Hostas, especially those with chartreuse or yellow variegation, provide excellent textural and color contrast against the deep maroon leaves of the Norway maple. Consider planting woodland-edge ferns or shade-loving groundcovers like Vinca minor around the perimeter of the shade zone to soften the edge of the lawn area near the tree.
Design Ideas
Use this cultivar as a specimen planting in large yards where its silhouette and summer color can be admired from a distance. Its dense crown makes it perfect for screening undesirable views across a property line, acting as a living, colorful wall. For a high-contrast formal look, pair the Acer platanoides ‘Crimson King’ with columnar evergreens like Skyrocket Juniper or deep green Arborvitae on either side to frame the purple presence.
