Aureum

Character & interest

‘Aureum’ brings instant light to the garden: bright foliage, a soft texture, and—over time—the silhouette of a small tree. It is an excellent cultivar for creating a focal point, especially when placed in front of a dark background (evergreen hedges, conifers, walls). Its slow growth encourages an elegant structure and good performance in a container.

Colours

• Spring : yellow to lemon yellow, sometimes with pinkish veins/tones or a reddish edging in gentle sun.

• Summer : yellow-green / chartreuse, often a little greener during hot periods.

• Autumn : orange, then orange-red (often very vivid).

Habit & vigour

Large shrub / small tree habit, with a crown that becomes fairly rounded with age. Slow to moderate vigour: it establishes gradually, then grows steadily if the soil stays cool in summer.

Indicative size

Observed orders of magnitude depending on sources and training:

• often around 2 to 3 m at about 10 years (variable depending on climate and cultivation),

• in the long term it can reach 4 to 8 m (slow growth over several decades),

• spread is often similar to height at maturity (balanced silhouette).

Exposure

Bright partial shade is recommended. Morning sun is often beneficial to intensify colouring, but avoid hot afternoon sun (risk of scorch and fading). A sheltered position away from drying winds is advised.

Origin & history

The name ‘Aureum’ means “golden”. This cultivar is considered an old Japanese variety, historically distributed in Europe (notably through Dutch horticultural networks in the 19th century). It is frequently cited under the synonym Acer japonicum ‘Aureum’, reflecting older taxonomic usage in horticulture: it is still found under that name in some catalogues and collections.