{"product_id":"acer-plat-drummondii-full-standard-25-litre-pot","title":"Acer plat. Drummondii Full Standard 25 Litre Pot","description":"\u003ch1\u003eAcer platanoides 'Drummondii' – The Harlequin Maple, a Bold Statement in Variegated Foliage\u003c\/h1\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eAcer platanoides 'Drummondii'\u003c\/strong\u003e, commonly known as the \u003cstrong\u003eHarlequin Maple\u003c\/strong\u003e, is one of the most striking variegated trees available for the garden. A cultivar of the Norway Maple, it is celebrated for its \u003cstrong\u003ebold, cream-margined leaves\u003c\/strong\u003e that light up borders, avenues, and specimen plantings with a luminous, almost tropical energy. Each broad, palmate leaf is a rich mid-green at its centre, framed by a wide, creamy-white border that shimmers in dappled sunlight.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eIn spring, the tree opens with clusters of \u003cstrong\u003esmall yellow-green flowers\u003c\/strong\u003e that emerge just before the foliage unfurls – an early source of nectar for pollinators. As the season progresses, the variegated canopy develops into a full, rounded crown that provides genuine visual drama through the summer months. Pairs of winged seeds (samaras) follow in late summer, adding further seasonal interest.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eCome autumn, the foliage transitions through shades of \u003cstrong\u003egold and pale yellow\u003c\/strong\u003e before falling to reveal an attractive, structured silhouette for winter. Hardy, adaptable, and unmistakably ornamental, the Harlequin Maple is a tree that earns its place in any landscape seeking year-round character.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003chr\u003e\n\n\u003ch2\u003eWhy Choose Acer platanoides 'Drummondii'?\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eExceptional Variegation\u003c\/strong\u003e – Bold cream-and-green foliage that stands out from spring through autumn, unlike almost any other hardy tree.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eReliable Hardiness\u003c\/strong\u003e – Fully frost-hardy and well suited to the British climate, performing consistently year after year.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eRounded, Architectural Crown\u003c\/strong\u003e – Develops a broad, symmetrical canopy that provides structure and shade in equal measure.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003ePollinator Friendly\u003c\/strong\u003e – Early spring flowers attract bees and other beneficial insects before most other trees are in bloom.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eVersatile Placement\u003c\/strong\u003e – Works equally well as a standalone specimen, a street tree, or an anchor within a mixed planting scheme.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003chr\u003e\n\n\u003ch2\u003eSeasonal Beauty \u0026amp; Growth\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eSpring brings the first flush of \u003cstrong\u003eyellow-green flowers\u003c\/strong\u003e, appearing in upright clusters before the leaves open. Shortly after, the distinctive variegated foliage emerges – broad, five-lobed leaves edged in \u003cstrong\u003ecreamy white\u003c\/strong\u003e that brighten as the season warms.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eThrough summer, the dense, rounded canopy holds its bold two-tone colouring with impressive consistency, creating a \u003cstrong\u003ecool, elegant focal point\u003c\/strong\u003e in the garden. Winged samaras develop from midsummer onward, providing additional ornamental and wildlife value.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eIn autumn, the green portions of the leaf turn to \u003cstrong\u003ewarm golden-yellow\u003c\/strong\u003e, while the cream margins fade softly before leaf fall. Winter reveals a well-formed branch structure with attractive \u003cstrong\u003egrey-brown bark\u003c\/strong\u003e, ensuring year-round appeal.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003chr\u003e\n\n\u003ch2\u003eGrowing Conditions\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003ePosition:\u003c\/strong\u003e Thrives in \u003cstrong\u003efull sun to partial shade\u003c\/strong\u003e. Good light encourages the most vivid variegation; heavily shaded positions may reduce the contrast between the cream margins and green centres.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eSoil:\u003c\/strong\u003e Adaptable to a wide range of soils including \u003cstrong\u003eloam, clay, chalk, and sandy soils\u003c\/strong\u003e, provided drainage is reasonable. It tolerates mildly acidic to alkaline conditions with ease.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eHardiness:\u003c\/strong\u003e Fully \u003cstrong\u003efrost-hardy\u003c\/strong\u003e throughout the UK. Established trees are resilient in exposed and urban environments alike.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eUrban Tolerance:\u003c\/strong\u003e Performs well in \u003cstrong\u003epolluted urban settings\u003c\/strong\u003e, making it a popular and reliable choice for street and courtyard planting.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003chr\u003e\n\n\u003ch2\u003eCare \u0026amp; Maintenance\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWatering:\u003c\/strong\u003e Keep the rootzone \u003cstrong\u003eevenly moist during the first two to three years\u003c\/strong\u003e after planting to support establishment. Once settled in, the tree develops good drought tolerance.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eFeeding:\u003c\/strong\u003e Apply a \u003cstrong\u003ebalanced slow-release fertiliser or organic mulch\u003c\/strong\u003e in early spring to encourage healthy, vigorous growth and bright foliage colour.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003ePruning:\u003c\/strong\u003e Carry out any necessary formative or corrective pruning in \u003cstrong\u003elate autumn to midwinter\u003c\/strong\u003e, when the tree is fully dormant, to avoid the heavy sap bleeding associated with pruning in late winter or spring. Remove any \u003cstrong\u003ereverted all-green shoots\u003c\/strong\u003e promptly as soon as they are noticed – these will grow more vigorously than the variegated stems and must be cut back to their point of origin to preserve the tree's distinctive character.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003ePests \u0026amp; Diseases:\u003c\/strong\u003e Generally trouble-free. Occasional \u003cstrong\u003eaphid activity\u003c\/strong\u003e may occur on young growth in spring but rarely causes lasting harm. Good air circulation around the canopy helps minimise any fungal issues.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003chr\u003e\n\n\u003ch2\u003eDesign \u0026amp; Planting Ideas\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003ePlant as a \u003cstrong\u003estandalone specimen\u003c\/strong\u003e on a lawn or in an open border, where the variegated canopy can be fully appreciated from all angles.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eUse to \u003cstrong\u003ebrighten a shaded or north-facing area\u003c\/strong\u003e where the pale foliage reflects light and lifts the overall planting scheme.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eCombine with \u003cstrong\u003edeep purple-leaved shrubs\u003c\/strong\u003e such as \u003cem\u003eCotinus coggygria\u003c\/em\u003e 'Royal Purple' or \u003cem\u003ePhysocarpus opulifolius\u003c\/em\u003e 'Diabolo' for a dramatic foliage contrast.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Grasslands Nursery","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":57657299566918,"sku":"174325","price":121.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true}],"url":"https:\/\/www.grasslands.co.uk\/products\/acer-plat-drummondii-full-standard-25-litre-pot","provider":"Grasslands Nursery","version":"1.0","type":"link"}