Frank P Matthews
Deeply cut soft green leaves turning rich ruby-crimson in autumn. Produces clusters of reddish purple flowers. Read more
Description: Acer japonicum 'Acontifolium' is one of the best Acers for autumn colours. The deeply lobed and cut green leaves are almost fern-like. It's brilliant rich ruby-crimson autumn colours in some opinions, would place this small tree in the Japanese maple section. Produces a cluster of small, reddish purple flowers in the spring before the leaves emerge.
History: Introduced in Japan in 1888. Received an Award of Garden Merit from the Royal Horticultural Society.
Acer Growing Tips: Very easy to grow in a wide range of well-drained soils. They thrive in sun but with partial shade to protect the leaves from scorch. A sheltered area away from strong winds is preferred.
Height and Spread (after 10 years) : 4m x 3m
Red Maple
Brilliant red leaves turn to a reddish-purple. One of the best rubrums for a spectacular display of autumn colour.
Shrimp Leaf Sycamore
Distinctive small tree with glorious shrimp pink, young spring foliage. Suitable for small gardens. Slow growing.
Purple Maple
Lime green flowers tinged red in April followed by large, intense purple leaves turning orange in autumn.
Yellow Boxelder Maple
Golden leaves throughout the summer and drooping racemes of golden tassle-like flowers appear in June.
Your tree will have been pruned prior to despatch so there should be no need to prune straight away. The only exception is a bare root maiden which will not have been pruned. Some varieties will benefit from being pruned later – please see the variety specific information.
We would advise watering your tree when planting and then regularly during the first summer in the ground. Thereafter the level of watering will depend on the soil and weather conditions. It is best to not let young trees dry out.
A free booklet with simple instructions will also be included with your order.
You can also find more information in the ‘Advice’ section of our website. Click here for ‘How to Plant a Container Tree’ and here for ‘How to Plant a Bare Root Tree’.
Trees should always be planted as soon as possible. The only exception would be bare root trees if the soil is very frozen or waterlogged, in which case heel the trees in until the ground is ready. Bare root trees must be planted before new growth appears in spring, this is usually in March.
If your tree is to be kept in a container, then we’d advise repotting into a larger container as soon as possible. Please check to see whether the tree is suitable for a pot before purchasing.
Yes, you can collect the trees from the nursery. Please select the ‘Collect’ option when placing the order. We will email you as soon as your order is ready for collection, we will then need at least two working days to prepare your order.
The delivery charge is calculated according to the number of boxes needed to send the trees. One container grown tree will need one box; bare root trees vary but we can usually get about three in a box. The total delivery cost will be shown when you place the order.
We currently do not deliver to any addresses outside of mainland Great Britain.
We will notify you by email when your order has been despatched. It will usually be delivered within three days from notification.
Our boxes are 2 metres tall and 30cm square.
We are unable to offer a scheduled delivery service as we cannot guarantee an exact delivery date. We can aim for a specific week if you let us know.
Our courier company will leave the package in the safest place if there is no one there, so there is no need to sign for the delivery.
Container grown trees are available from August and bare root trees are available from November. We always aim to deliver your order as soon as every item is ready for despatch.
If the whole order is ready when purchased, it usually takes between 5 and 10 working days to arrive.
See below for a guide on when bare root trees are usually ready for despatch.
Early November – Two year old plums, cherries, apples and then pears.Late November – One year maiden plums, cherries, apples and then pears.Late November/Early December – Ornamental prunus, sorbus, thorns, malus and then pyrus.
This is an estimate as the lifting of bare root trees is very weather dependent.
If you are unhappy with your tree when it arrives, please email sales@fpmatthews.co.uk within five working days and we will get back to you as soon as possible.