Acer rubrum 'Red Sunset'

Acer rubrum 'Red Sunset', commonly known as Red Maple, Swamp Maple, is a woody tree or large shrub valued for its red or burgundy flowers during spring and winter. It typically matures 40–120 feet tall and 30–50 feet wide. Grow it in full sun to partial shade in moist, well-drained clay or loam soil. Its native range or documented parentage is Newfoundland to Florida West to Minnesota Oklahoma and Texas. Bees are attracted to the early nectar source of the flowers. In the landscape, it works well in accent, shade tree, and specimen. Once established, it shows useful tolerance to black walnut, compaction, and deer.

Adds long-term structure, shade, and a sense of permanence to the landscape. Feeds a larger garden food web through seed, shelter, and host-plant value rather than a showy flower display. Offers native-plant character in a garden-friendly selected form. Useful for solving damp, wet, or pond-edge planting conditions.

Lobed leaves and seasonal color; insignificant flowers; samaras fruit; brilliant red to orange fall color

Specimen tree, shade tree, fall color

Newfoundland to Florida West to Minnesota Oklahoma and Texas.