Acer Drummondii

Experience the spectacular beauty of Acer platanoides ‘Drummondii’, the stunning Variegated Norway Maple that brings exceptional year-round colour, luminous presence, and architectural elegance with its striking cream-edged foliage. This outstanding ornamental maple offers remarkable qualities—spectacular variegated leaves with mid-green centres and broad, irregular creamy-white margins that create brilliant contrast and luminous effect throughout the growing season, beautiful pink and coral tints on emerging spring foliage that adds an extra dimension of colour before maturing to the classic green and cream variegation, bright yellow-green flowers in spring that create cheerful displays before the leaves fully emerge, and compact size with rounded crown that makes this more manageable than the species whilst providing all the impact of variegated foliage, making this one of the finest and most eye-catching variegated trees for creating bright focal points, contemporary elegance, and year-round interest in your garden.

Throughout spring and summer, this captivating tree displays its characteristic five-lobed leaves measuring 10-15cm across with the classic maple shape and serrated edges. But what makes this cultivar truly spectacular is the stunning variegation—each leaf has a mid to bright green centre surrounded by a broad, irregular creamy-white to pale yellow margin measuring 1-2cm wide that creates brilliant contrast and makes the entire tree appear to glow, especially when backlit. The variegation is consistent and stable throughout the season. In spring, the emerging foliage is particularly beautiful, displaying soft pink, coral, and salmon tints before the creamy-white margins fully develop—creating a lovely pastel effect. The overall impression is of a tree bathed in light. In mid-spring (April), before the leaves fully expand, the tree becomes adorned with clusters of bright yellow-green flowers held in upright corymbs that create cheerful spring colour. These are followed by the characteristic winged seeds (samaras) that turn from green to brown. The rounded, dense crown creates attractive form, and in autumn the foliage turns soft yellow before falling.

This remarkable cultivar is a selected form of the Norway Maple (Acer platanoides), named after Thomas Drummond, a 19th-century Scottish botanist and plant collector. The variegation is caused by a genetic mutation that affects chlorophyll production in the leaf margins. Exceptionally hardy and adaptable, this maple thrives in British conditions, tolerating urban pollution, exposure, a wide range of soil types including clay and alkaline soils, and even coastal conditions. More compact and slower-growing than the species, making this ideal for medium-sized gardens where the full-sized Norway Maple would be too large. The brilliant variegation provides far more visual impact than plain green maples, creating a bright focal point that draws the eye.

Create stunning compositions by planting as spectacular specimen trees in lawns, mixed borders, or prominent positions where the luminous variegated foliage can be fully appreciated. Exceptional in contemporary gardens, urban landscapes, or as bright focal points where the cream and green foliage creates contrast against darker evergreens or purple-leaved plants. Works beautifully positioned where the foliage can be backlit by sun for maximum luminous effect—the leaves seem to glow. Magnificent as street trees, avenue plantings, or courtyard features. The variegation brightens shaded areas and creates year-round interest. Perfect for smaller gardens where a variegated tree is desired without excessive size.

Planting: Space trees 8-10m apart if planting multiples, or allow 10-12m for specimen placement to accommodate the mature spread. Plant bare-root trees from November to March, or container-grown specimens year-round (autumn or early spring is ideal). Dig holes twice the width of the root ball and incorporate organic matter. Plant at the same depth as the nursery soil mark. Stake for the first 2-3 years. Water thoroughly and mulch around the base. Choose positions in full sun to partial shade—best variegation and pink spring tints occur in full sun, though tolerates some shade.

Soil Preparation: Thrives in moist, well-drained soil with pH 6.0-8.0. Tolerates a wide range of soil types including clay, loam, sand, and moderately acidic to alkaline conditions. Prefers moisture-retentive, fertile conditions but adapts well to poorer soils. Dislikes waterlogged or very dry sites. Tolerates urban pollution, compacted soils, and exposure better than most trees. Best variegation and growth occur in full sun with consistent moisture, though very adaptable once established.

Container Growing: Young specimens can be grown in very large containers (minimum 70cm diameter) using soil-based compost for several years, creating spectacular patio features with luminous variegated foliage. Water regularly and feed in spring with slow-release balanced fertiliser. However, for best long-term health, characteristic rounded form, and to achieve the full impact of the variegated canopy, plant out into the ground where the root system can develop fully.

Seasonal Care: Requires minimal pruning—the naturally rounded crown develops without intervention. Remove only dead, damaged, or crossing branches in late winter when dormant. IMPORTANT: Remove any shoots with plain green leaves (reverted growth) as soon as they appear—cut back to the main stem or branch. Reverted shoots are more vigorous than variegated growth and will eventually dominate if not removed, causing the tree to lose its variegation. Check regularly throughout the growing season. Apply slow-release balanced fertiliser in early spring. Mulch annually with organic matter. Water during dry spells in the first 5 years until established. Generally pest and disease resistant, though aphids can occasionally affect young growth.

Propagation: Cannot be propagated from seed as this is a selected cultivar that will not come true from seed and will revert to plain green Norway Maple. Professional propagation is by grafting onto Acer platanoides rootstock in winter or early spring. Budding in summer is also used commercially. Home gardeners should purchase nursery-grown grafted specimens for guaranteed quality, reliable variegation, and characteristic growth habit.

This luminous beauty is absolutely stunning—that spectacular variegation with creamy-white margins creates such brilliant contrast and makes the entire tree glow! The pink-tinged spring foliage is gorgeous, and those bright yellow-green spring flowers are cheerful. More compact than common Norway Maple, exceptionally hardy, tolerates urban pollution and challenging conditions brilliantly. Remember to remove any plain green shoots to maintain the variegation. A true showstopper that brightens any garden with year-round luminous beauty!