Maple
Acer sp.
The maple genus comprises more than 150 greatly varied species, most of which have flattened wings attached to their seeds, as well as palmate leaves which take on all kinds of colours in the autumn.
This makes them ideal for park compositions. Maple collections can be found in the English and new sections of the park; both feature the striking paperbark (‘cinnamon’) maple, which is an endangered species in its Chinese homeland.
Other impressive forms include the Manchurian striped maple (A. tegmentosum), the multi-palmate smooth (A. palmatum) and downy (A. japonicum) Japanese maples.