Vine Maple | Acer circinatum
Description
Vine Maple, Acer circinatum, is a very important plant for our pollinators. Its late bloom and rich flowers attract honey bees, mason bees, and bumble bees. If you have hives nearby, the nectar is especially sweet and makes for delicious honey. A. circinatum is also a host plant for the gorgeous Western Tiger Swallowtail butterfly.
Vine maple is an iconic understory shrub in the Pacific Northwest that can serve as an excellent contribution to your native garden. Not only can it grow in the shade as a multi-stemmed shrub with long arching vines, but it can also grow in the sun like a small tree with up-reaching branches. Its versatility is almost as amazing as its elegant flowers and brilliant leaves. The fuschia-like flowers are white with a wine colored skirt and grow in elegantly drooping clusters. The leaves are bright green in the summer and turn vividly red and yellow in the fall. As well as being a showy addition to your garden and a food source for pollinators, A. circinatum is a hardy plant that is generally pest and disease free, so it’s easy to take care of!
Plant Details
| Habitats | Riparian Forests, Bottomland Forests | |
|---|---|---|
| Habitat Notes | Bottomland Forest; Riparian Forest; Forest understory plant; Deer resistant | |
| Phenology | Flowering April-June | |
| Mature Height | 25’ | |
| Shade Preference | Full sun, part shade, shade | |
| Soil Tolerance | Moist soils | |
| Special Uses | Attracts insects, bees and butterflies; Attracts birds; Attracts hummingbirds |
