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<< Previous   of   Next >> Al Dodson / Great Plant Picks  (click to enlarge) Vine maple   ADVERTISEMENT   Related Stories • Great plant pick 10/22/09 • Plant pick: Apollo sugar maple 10/15/09 • Plant pick: Dwarf plumbago 10/8/09 • PLANT PICK 10/1/09 • Plant pick: umbrella bamboo 9/24/09 • Plant pick: Mount Vernon variety of dwarf English laurel 9/17/09 • Plant pick: Evergreen huckleberry 9/10/09 • Plant pick: Kentucky coffee tree 9/3/09 • Plant pick: Golden bluebeard 8/20/09 • Plant pick: golden catalpa 8/13/09 • Plant pick: Etoile Violette clematis 8/6/09 • Plant pick: Preziosa hydrangea 7/30/09   CONTACT THE HERALD Melanie Munk, Features Editor munk@heraldnet.com   Published: Thursday, October 29, 2009 Plant pick: Vine maple WHAT: Acer circinatum’s habit of producing sprawling branches when growing in the forest under the Northwest’s often-huge native conifers has earned it the common name of vine maple. WHY PLANT IT: Closely related to Japanese maples, this easy-to-grow, multistemmed, native has the same versatility in the small garden or woodland. Its trunks are green when young and provide architectural interest. A popular spot for this small tree is in a courtyard garden, where its trunks give the illusion of a small grove. Its fresh light green leaves turn orange and red in late summer, providing a flash of brilliance before other trees, especially if the summer has been dry. WHERE: Vine maples grow in full sun, part shade or full shade. Fall color is best with at least half a day of sun. They grow in a range of soil types and are drought tolerant once established. ACTUAL SIZE: This deciduous large shrub or small tree grows more quickly when young, about 12 to 18 inches per year. It matures at about 20 feet high and wide. In sun, its branches are more upright; in the forest, they sprawl along the ground. LEARN MORE: Go to www.greatplantpicks.org. Source: Great Plant Picks READER COMMENTS Be the first to comment. You must be a registered user and verify your e-mail address to post comments to blogs or articles on HeraldNet. To register, click here. To read other terms and conditions, click here. Log out

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