Acer x conspicuum 'RED FLAMINGO'

Acer x conspicuum is a Dutch maple cross between a. davidii (China) and a. pensylvanicum (North America). So far the botanists cannot decide about its Latin name, whether to list it as acer x conspicuum or acer rubescens. And the poor guy does not even have a common name so is provisionally called hybrid snake-bark maple.

Even among a hundred trees you will notice Red Flamingo hybrid snake-bark maple first. Such a colourful small tree must have been brought directly from Mars where red is constantly in vogue. It is a stunning variety making a breathtaking display wherever you put it. Its key features are the leaves and young bark. Deciduous leaves are mid green; when they emerge they are marbled white as if you splashed the tree with a can of white paint and then threw a pink chiffon all over. Full sun enhances pink and red shades but as the hot summer approaches, variegation somehow fades away.

Still, I think the best bit is the colour of young twigs and bark. The twigs are purple pink, shining like a neon light, and the bark is bright red with white stripes, changing to olive green and white stripes on mature trees.

This variety is a selection found in W.J.Hoofman Nurseries in the Netherlands around 2000 as a sport of another hybrid snake-bark maple Silver Cardinal. It grows slowly to medium fast, making horizontal to slightly arching new branches. Red Flamingo is rather shrubby, and it takes a bit of work and time to be trained into a small tree. Its limited size is suitable even for small gardens.

These maples have limited requirements. Grow them in full sun which is best for their colours or in part shade. They are not fussy about soil type; it just needs to be well-drained. Do not over fertilize. Sometimes, due to special pruning and excess fertilizing, you can come across vividly coloured plants in autumn selling season, but they may be risky as their twigs are softwood and immature, unable to cope with harsh winters should they come. It is considered unsuitable for exposed sites. Fully hardy to min. -24 °C (USDA zone 6), perhaps a little more.

Last update 16-08-2008; 24-01-2022