Corallinum

Character & interest

‘Corallinum’ is one of those maples you choose first for spring: the colour is clear, luminous, and “makes the garden” as soon as growth starts. It then stays interesting thanks to its repeat flushes (new leaves sometimes pink/apricot) and finishes with a fine red blaze. Its naturally dense habit makes it easy to use in a container or in a border.

Colours

• Spring : coral pink to very strong pink-red foliage.

• Summer : green foliage, often with younger growth that is more colourful (pink / apricot / reddish depending on conditions).

• Autumn : bright red to scarlet red, sometimes with orange nuances.

Habit & vigour

Bushy, dense habit, rather upright at first then more rounded with age. Slow to moderate vigour (steady growth, without excess).

Indicative size

Order of magnitude: often 1.5 to 2 m in many situations (and very well suited to container growing). In the ground, with age and good conditions, it can become larger (size varies with climate, soil and training).

Exposure

Bright partial shade is recommended to keep the cleanest colours and tidy foliage. It can take gentle sun (morning), but avoid scorching sun and dry wind, especially in a pot.

Origin & history

An old cultivar: it is already mentioned at the very beginning of the 20th century in British horticultural literature. It is often presented as a selection distributed in England (sometimes associated with Hillier nurseries), but information varies between sources.