Plant DetailShow Menu

Native alternative(s) for Acer pictum subsp. mono:
Acer glabrum Acer glabrum var. diffusum
Plants that fill a similar niche:
Acer cappadocicum Acer cappadocicum
Acer rufinerve Acer rufinerve
Acer saccharum subsp. leucoderme  Acer leucoderme
Acer pictum subsp. mono has some common insect problems:
Common Insect Pests of Maple in North Carolina
Acer pictum subsp. mono has some common disease problems:
Common Disease Pests of Maple in North Carolina

Acer pictum subsp. mono

Common Name(s):

Previously known as:

  • Acer mono
Phonetic Spelling
AY-ser PIK-tum mon-oh
Description

Painted maple is a deciduous tree in the Sapindaceae (soapberry) family that typically grows to 30-40’ (less frequently to 60') tall with a rounded spreading crown. It is native to forests in Japan, China, Korea, Mongolia, and Eastern Russia. It sometimes grows in a shrubby form.

Variable leaves (3-6” long) have 5-7 triangular lobes. Leaves emerge with bronze tints in spring, mature to bright green by summer and turn attractive shades of yellow and orange in fall. Leaf stems exude a milky sap when cut. Greenish-yellow flowers appear in April-May in upright clusters (umbels). As with most maples, the flowers are not showy. Fruit is a samara (to 1.5” long). This tree is quite hardy in cold temperatures.

Easily grown in average, medium moisture, well-drained soils in full sun to part shade. Prefers evenly moist, acidic soils with good drainage in part shade.

Insects, Diseases, and Other Plant Problems:  No serious problems. See potential insect and disease problem fact sheets to the left.

The Clemson Cooperative Extension Home and Garden Information Center has a factsheet on common maple diseases and insect pests.

See this plant in the following landscape:
Cultivars / Varieties:
Tags:
#gold#deciduous#full sun tolerant#red leaves#fall interest#fast growing#gold leaves#crimson leaves#nighttime garden#pollinator plant#larval host plant#deciduous tree#imperial moth#wildlife friendly
 
Cultivars / Varieties:
Tags:
#gold#deciduous#full sun tolerant#red leaves#fall interest#fast growing#gold leaves#crimson leaves#nighttime garden#pollinator plant#larval host plant#deciduous tree#imperial moth#wildlife friendly
  • Attributes:
    Genus:
    Acer
    Species:
    pictum subsp. mono
    Family:
    Sapindaceae
    Life Cycle:
    Woody
    Recommended Propagation Strategy:
    Seed
    Stem Cutting
    Country Or Region Of Origin:
    Forests in Japan, China, Korea, Mongolia and Eastern Russia
    Wildlife Value:
    Members of the genus Acer support Imperial Moth (Eacles imperialis) larvae which have one brood per season and appear from April-October in the south. Adult Imperial Moths do not feed.
  • Whole Plant Traits:
    Plant Type:
    Shrub
    Tree
    Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
    Deciduous
    Habit/Form:
    Rounded
    Spreading
    Vase
    Growth Rate:
    Rapid
    Texture:
    Medium
  • Cultural Conditions:
    Light:
    Full sun (6 or more hours of direct sunlight a day)
    Partial Shade (Direct sunlight only part of the day, 2-6 hours)
    Soil pH:
    Acid (<6.0)
    Soil Drainage:
    Good Drainage
    Moist
    USDA Plant Hardiness Zone:
    5a, 5b, 6a, 6b, 7a, 7b, 8a, 8b
  • Fruit:
    Display/Harvest Time:
    Fall
    Fruit Type:
    Samara
    Fruit Length:
    1-3 inches
  • Flowers:
    Flower Color:
    Gold/Yellow
    Green
    Flower Inflorescence:
    Umbel
    Flower Bloom Time:
    Spring
    Flower Description:
    Greenish yellow flowers appear in April-May in upright clusters (umbels).
  • Leaves:
    Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
    Deciduous
    Leaf Color:
    Gold/Yellow
    Green
    Orange
    Deciduous Leaf Fall Color:
    Gold/Yellow
    Red/Burgundy
    Leaf Type:
    Simple
    Leaf Arrangement:
    Opposite
    Leaf Margin:
    Lobed
    Hairs Present:
    No
    Leaf Length:
    3-6 inches
    Leaf Description:
    3 to 6 in. opposite, simple leaves with 5 to 7 short triangular lobes; new leaves are bronze; bright green in summer and resistant to sunburn; bright gold with crimson fall color
  • Stem:
    Stem Is Aromatic:
    No
  • Landscape:
    Landscape Location:
    Patio
    Small Space
    Landscape Theme:
    Asian Garden
    Nighttime Garden
    Pollinator Garden
    Design Feature:
    Accent
    Small Tree
    Specimen
    Attracts:
    Moths
    Pollinators