Acer (Box Elder)

On Breezy Spring Days, Acer negundo Flutters With Soft, Ash‑Like Foliage, Bringing Movement Without The Weight Of A Dense Canopy.

Variegated Foliage That Brightens Shady Spaces

Acer negundo is loved less for flowers and more for its leaves — especially in these garden‑friendly cultivars. The foliage has a light, airy texture, and the variegation can make a border feel brighter from the moment it leafs out. ‘Flamingo’ is famous for its pink‑flushed new growth, ‘Kelly’s Gold’ offers a clear golden look, and ‘Elegans’ brings a steadier creamy variegation. Used well, they act like living highlights in planting — softening darker shrubs, lifting shaded corners, and making the garden feel more cheerful without needing a single bloom.

Variegated Foliage That Brightens Shady Spaces
Quick Growth With A Relaxed, Informal Shape
A Tough Tree For Real‑World Gardens

Box Elders at a Glance:

Common name: Box elder (ash‑leaved maple).

Latin name: Acer negundo

Size in UK gardens: Commonly 6–10m+ over time, sometimes larger in ideal conditions; can be kept smaller with thoughtful pruning, especially when young.

Best position: Full sun or light shade; sun gives the strongest variegation and colour, with a little shelter helping leaves stay fresh.

Soil: Most reasonably fertile, well‑drained soils; copes with a range if not waterlogged or repeatedly bone dry.

Main interest: Decorative foliage (variegated, pink‑flushed or golden depending on cultivar) and a light, airy canopy.

Fragrance: Usually not noticeably scented.

Hardiness: Hardy in most UK gardens once established.

Care level: Low to moderate – easy-going, with occasional pruning to shape and remove weak or crowded growth.

Sun & Shelter Advice for Box Elders:

☀️ Best light: Box elder maples do well in full sun or light shade. For the best colour in ‘Flamingo’ and ‘Kelly’s Gold’, a bright position is ideal; light shade can help in hotter, drier gardens to keep foliage from looking tired.

☀️ Shelter and walls: A slightly sheltered spot helps protect the lighter leaves from constant drying wind. In Cambridgeshire and across East Anglia, planting where a fence or hedge takes the edge off the breeze often keeps variegated foliage looking cleaner through summer.

☀️ What to avoid: Avoid very exposed, wind‑tunnel positions where leaves can scorch and look ragged, and avoid ground that stays waterlogged in winter. Also avoid squeezing it into tight corners — a little space helps the canopy look natural and balanced.

☀️ Where to plant: Use it as a bright feature in a mixed border, near a lawn edge, or as a light canopy tree beside a patio where you want dappled shade without gloom. Variegated forms are also excellent near darker evergreens, where the contrast really sings.

Soil Requirements for Box Elders:

🪏 Preferred soil type: Acer negundo prefers reasonably fertile, moisture‑retentive but well‑drained soil. It’s quite tolerant, but it looks best when the roots have steady moisture and plenty of air in the soil.

🪏 Soil pH and health: It usually copes with neutral soils and many slightly alkaline gardens, provided nutrients are available and the soil structure is good. Pale, weak growth can point to drought stress, compacted soil, or poor feeding — a spring mulch and better watering usually perk it up quickly.

🪏 Improving tricky spots: Heavy clay or very light soils both benefit from preparation before planting.

• On clay, dig in well‑rotted compost and a little grit to improve structure and drainage, so roots don’t sit in cold, airless sludge over winter.

• On thin, sandy or rubble‑rich soils, add plenty of organic matter to hold moisture and nutrients, or consider growing box elder in a large container with a suitable compost mix if soil is very poor.

Box Elder Hardiness:

🍃 General hardiness: Box elder maple is hardy in most UK gardens once established, coping well with normal winters and leafing out reliably each spring.

🍃 Cold and foliage damage: Established plants tolerate typical winter lows well, but fresh spring growth can be nipped by late frosts, and variegated leaves can look a little scorched after very cold, drying winds. This is usually cosmetic — the tree quickly replaces damaged leaves as the season warms.

🍃 In cooler or exposed spots: A few calm steps help it look its best.

• Choosing a reasonably sheltered position.

• Adding a mulch around the base.

• Using fleece on young plants during the coldest spells, particularly in their first winter or two.

Garden Uses for Box Elders:

Colour And Light In A Mixed Border: Variegated and golden forms work like living highlights, lifting darker shrubs and making flower colours look brighter. The canopy stays airy, so borders still feel open and layered.

Good Close To Paths And Seating: Planted near a patio or path, the foliage is close enough to enjoy — especially the pink flush of ‘Flamingo’ in spring. It also gives gentle shade that feels pleasant rather than heavy.

Fast Height For New Gardens And Boundaries: Acer negundo can give you quicker structure than many small trees. It’s useful where a garden feels bare, or where you want a soft screen without waiting years for impact.

Street-Friendly And Urban Tough: Box elder is generally adaptable, coping with real‑world garden conditions if the roots aren’t waterlogged. That makes it a practical choice for front gardens and more exposed plots, provided you give it decent soil and a little space.

Wildlife Benefits of Box Elders:

🐝 Early Season Interest For Small Insects: Acer flowers are not showy, but they can still provide early pollen and general habitat value as the tree wakes up in spring. It’s a gentle contribution rather than a headline wildlife plant.

🐦‍⬛ Perches And Shelter In The Canopy: The branching provides perching and cover for birds, especially once the tree has a little size. In mixed planting, it adds another layer of height and shelter.

🕷 Leafy Habitat For Garden Balance: The foliage supports small insects, and the leaf litter beneath offers shelter for beetles and spiders. That quiet background life helps feed the wider garden food web over time.

Some of our team!

Home-grown, backed by local specialists.

The Simpson’s team raises the majority of our trees here at the nursery. For varieties outside our own production, we work with independent local growers we trust - all chosen for UK climate suitability.

Box Elder Care at a Glance:

Planting time: As container‑grown trees, box elder can be planted in most months when the soil isn’t frozen or waterlogged; spring and autumn are usually easiest.

Watering: Water regularly through the first 1–2 seasons, and in dry spells; deep watering helps establish a strong root system.

Feeding: A spring mulch of compost or well‑rotted organic matter is usually enough; a light balanced feed in spring can help on poorer soils.

Pruning: Prune lightly to shape and to remove weak, crossing or congested branches; early training gives the best long‑term form.

Winter: Hardy once established; young trees benefit from mulch and a sheltered start to reduce wind scorch.

How to Plant Box Elders:

1. Prepare the hole: Dig a hole about twice the width of the pot and just deep enough for the rootball to sit at the same level as it was in the container, leaving space for roots to spread.

2. Loosen the soil: Fork over the base and sides of the hole so roots can travel out easily, rather than sitting in a smooth, compacted pocket.

3. Improve poor or heavy soil: Mix excavated soil with well‑rotted compost; add a little grit if drainage is slow, or extra organic matter if soil is very sandy. If the site is wet in winter, improve drainage or choose a better spot.

4. Set the plant in place: Slide the tree from its pot and gently tease out any circling roots. Set it upright, keeping the top of the rootball level with the surrounding soil.

5. Backfill and firm: Backfill with your improved soil and firm gently so the tree is stable, but avoid stamping hard and compacting the root zone.

6. Support if required: Stake young trees in windy gardens to prevent rocking while roots establish, using a soft, adjustable tie.

7. Water and mulch: Water thoroughly so the soil settles, then mulch around (but not touching) the trunk to conserve moisture and improve soil.

Watering & Feeding Box Elders:

💧 Establishing young plants: Water deeply whenever the soil begins to dry during the first season or two. Variegated forms look best when they’re not drought‑stressed, especially in breezy East Anglian weather.

💧 Once established: Established trees are fairly resilient, but prolonged drought can make leaves look tired and reduce growth. An occasional deep soak during long dry spells keeps the canopy fresher.

💧 Deep vs light watering: Go for deep, occasional watering that reaches the root zone, rather than frequent light sprinkling. Deep watering encourages stronger rooting and a tougher tree.

💧 Feeding routine: A spring mulch is usually the best feed, improving soil and supporting steady growth. If growth is slow on poor ground, a light balanced feed in spring can give young trees a helpful boost.

🪴 Plants in pots: Box elder is best in the ground long‑term, but it can be grown in a large pot for a time. Water regularly, feed lightly in spring and early summer, and make sure drainage is excellent so roots never sit in cold, wet compost.

Pruning Advice for Box Elders:

✂️ Natural habit: Acer negundo has an informal, slightly open habit, which suits relaxed garden planting. A little early shaping helps it develop a strong framework and prevents it becoming twiggy or uneven.

✂️ Best time to prune: Late winter to early spring is usually a good time for structural pruning while the tree is dormant, with light tidying in summer if needed. Avoid hard pruning during very cold spells.

✂️ What to remove: Remove dead, damaged, crossing or congested branches, and take out weak shoots that clutter the centre. If you’re growing a variegated cultivar, remove any plain green shoots that appear, as these can outgrow the coloured growth.

✂️ Keeping it young and tidy: In the first few years, aim for a balanced framework by shortening overly long shoots and thinning crowded areas. Small, regular edits are better than one big cut‑back later, and they keep the tree looking graceful and garden‑friendly.

Winter Protection Tips for Box Elders:

❄️ Typical winters: In a normal UK winter, box elder drops its leaves and rests quietly, then wakes reliably in spring. Established trees usually need no protection beyond good soil and a mulch.

❄️ Colder or exposed spots: Young trees can suffer from wind rock and drying cold winds, which can lead to weaker growth in spring.

• Choose a reasonably sheltered position.

• Mulch the base in autumn to protect roots and improve soil.

• Use fleece on very young trees in harsh spells, especially if new growth has started early.

🪴 Plants in pots:

• Moving pots closer to the house or into a sheltered corner in hard frosts.

• Wrapping the pot to protect roots if needed.

• Checking drainage holes so containers don’t sit in cold, waterlogged compost.

Potential Box Elder Pests & Diseases:

🌱 General health: Box elder is generally robust and easy-going in UK gardens when planted in decent soil with reliable moisture. Most issues are minor and often linked to stress — drought, wind exposure, or poor drainage.

🪲 Common minor pests: Aphids can appear on soft new growth, sometimes causing sticky honeydew. Small outbreaks can often be washed off with water, and keeping the tree vigorous usually helps it shrug pests off.

🍂 Disease risks: Leaf spots and minor fungal blemishes can occur in damp seasons, usually cosmetic. More serious trouble is typically linked to prolonged waterlogging, which stresses roots and weakens the tree.

🍂 Normal vs worrying changes: Some leaf scorch or ragged edges can happen after hot sun and drying wind, especially on variegated leaves. More worrying signs include persistent wilting, widespread yellowing with poor growth, or dieback that suggests root stress or drainage problems.

🌱 Simple prevention: Mulch yearly, water deeply in dry spells, and avoid waterlogging by improving soil structure. Give the tree enough space and light for airflow, and remove any congested growth to keep it healthy.

Varieties We Usually Stock

Availability is always changing, so please check with us if you have a particular variety in mind.

Acer negundo

Acer negundo 'Elegans'

Acer negundo 'Flamingo'

Acer negundo 'Kelly’s Gold'

A fast-growing, airy maple with divided leaves that give a light, open canopy and a relaxed look. It feels informal and breezy rather than dense, making it useful where you want shade without darkness. Often chosen for quick presence and an easy, natural style.

A bright variegated box elder with green leaves edged creamy-white, creating a light canopy and strong contrast. The effect is fresh and cheerful, especially in spring growth, and the tree keeps a relaxed, informal habit. Great for lifting darker planting and adding instant brightness.

A popular variegated box elder with cream-edged leaves flushed pink on new growth, giving colour from spring onwards. The canopy stays light and open, and the overall effect is soft and decorative rather than heavy. Excellent as a small feature tree for colour and movement.

A golden box elder with bright yellow foliage that brings warmth and high contrast through the growing season. It’s naturally lively-looking, especially against dark evergreens, and keeps an airy, informal outline. A great option when you want strong colour without flowers.

Frequently Asked Questions

It comes down to the colour mood you want. ‘Flamingo’ is loved for its pink flush on new spring growth, often fading to creamy‑green as the season moves on — it’s soft and pretty, especially near seating or a front path. ‘Kelly’s Gold’ is brighter and bolder, holding golden foliage that can lift a darker border like a little lamp. ‘Elegans’ is often steadier and calmer, with creamy variegation that doesn’t shout. All benefit from good light for best colour and from steady moisture so the leaves stay fresh and clean.

Acer negundo can become a medium tree over time, commonly in the 6–10m+ range in UK gardens, and it can spread as well as rise. In smaller gardens, the trick is to plan ahead: give it room, and do some early shaping so the framework develops neatly. Variegated cultivars can sometimes be slightly less vigorous than the plain species, but they still need space. If you want a tree that stays truly compact, this might not be the best choice — but if you want a light canopy with quick presence, it’s very useful.

Not a lot, but a little thoughtful pruning makes a big difference. The goal is to build a good structure while the tree is young: remove weak, crossing or crowded branches, and keep the canopy airy so it doesn’t become twiggy. With variegated forms, it’s also important to remove any plain green shoots that appear, because they can be more vigorous and may take over. Beyond that, it’s mainly light tidying rather than regular hard cutting back. Done gently, it stays attractive and garden‑friendly.

It’s generally adaptable, but it looks best if you help it through its first few years. In windy, dry gardens — including many parts of East Anglia — the key is watering deeply while it establishes and mulching the root zone so the soil stays cooler and more even. Variegated leaves can scorch in persistent drying wind or in drought, so a little shelter from a fence or hedge can keep the canopy looking much fresher. Once established, it’s fairly resilient, but it’s still worth giving it the occasional deep soak in long dry spells to keep growth strong.

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Box Elder / Ash-leaved Maple

On Breezy Spring Days, Acer negundo Flutters With Soft, Ash‑Like Foliage, Bringing Movement Without The Weight Of A Dense Canopy.

Variegated Foliage That Brightens Shady Spaces

Box Elders at a Glance:

Sun & Shelter Advice for Box Elders:

Soil Requirements for Box Elders:

Box Elder Hardiness:

Garden Uses for Box Elders:

Wildlife Benefits of Box Elders:

Home-grown, backed by local specialists.

Box Elder Care at a Glance:

How to Plant Box Elders:

Watering & Feeding Box Elders:

Pruning Advice for Box Elders:

Winter Protection Tips for Box Elders:

Potential Box Elder Pests & Diseases:

Varieties We Usually Stock

Acer negundo

Acer negundo 'Elegans'

Acer negundo 'Flamingo'

Acer negundo 'Kelly’s Gold'

Frequently Asked Questions

Since 1987

Tree Specialists

UK-Grown

Family-Owned

Box Elder / Ash-leaved Maple

On Breezy Spring Days, Acer negundo Flutters With Soft, Ash‑Like Foliage, Bringing Movement Without The Weight Of A Dense Canopy.

Variegated Foliage That Brightens Shady Spaces

Box Elders at a Glance:

Home-grown, backed by local specialists.

Box Elder Care at a Glance:

Varieties We Usually Stock

Acer negundo

Acer negundo 'Elegans'

Acer negundo 'Flamingo'

Acer negundo 'Kelly’s Gold'

Frequently Asked Questions

Which Acer negundo Cultivar Should I Choose – ‘Flamingo’, ‘Elegans’ Or ‘Kelly’s Gold’?

How Big Does Box Elder Maple Get In A UK Garden?

Does Acer negundo Need A Lot Of Pruning?

Is Box Elder Maple Easy To Grow In Windy Or Dry Gardens?

Since 1987

Tree Specialists

UK-Grown

Family-Owned