Ruben

Character & interest

‘Ruben’ is a “spring” cultivar, designed to deliver immediate impact at budbreak thanks to its strongly marked pink tone. It then remains easy to combine (green foliage), before putting on a strong show again in autumn. It is an excellent choice if you are looking for a compact maple that is very expressive at two key moments: spring and autumn.

Colours

• Spring : silvery pink to coral pink (intensity varies with climate and light).

• Summer : green foliage (often passing through a bronze-green stage as leaves mature).

• Autumn : vivid orange to orange-red.

Habit & vigour

Bushy shrub to small tree, rather dense. Slow to moderate growth, which makes it easy to use in containers and in restricted spaces.

Indicative size

Observed orders of magnitude depending on sources and training:

• about 1.75 m around 10 years is often indicated,

• ultimately, 1.5 to 2.5 m (height and spread) is frequently given,

• some North American descriptions mention 1.8 to 2.4 m around 12–15 years.

Exposure

Bright partial shade or gentle sun. Light enhances the spring pink, but a sheltered position (dry winds, scorching sun) helps keep the foliage clean.

Origin & history

‘Ruben’ is a selection associated with Plantentuin Esveld (Boskoop, the Netherlands). It is presented as named in honour of Mischa Ruben van Gelderen (Van Gelderen/Esveld family). Specialist descriptions agree on its main interest: a very luminous pink spring flush, followed by a greener summer and an orange autumn.