Skeeter’s broom

Character & interest

‘Skeeter’s Broom’ is a structural cultivar: it delivers the “red Japanese maple” effect in a tightened, easy-to-place silhouette—perfect along a terrace, in a small garden, or within a collection. Its naturally columnar habit creates an elegant vertical accent, with sustained colour through the season.

Colours

• Spring : bright red (often very luminous on young leaves).

• Summer : burgundy / deep purple.

• Autumn : ruby red to bright red (often one of its best periods).

Habit & vigour

Narrowly upright habit, compact, with dense branching. Slow to moderate growth: it keeps a contained size for a long time, while still having real presence in the garden.

Indicative size

Observed orders of magnitude depending on sources and training:

• often around 2 m,

• some sellers indicate ~1.5 m in restricted conditions (especially in a pot),

• other cultivation references suggest a higher long-term potential (up to ~4–4.5 m over many years), while remaining clearly narrower than a ‘Bloodgood’.

Exposure

Gentle sun / bright partial shade. A sheltered position (dry winds, scorching sun) helps preserve foliage quality.

Origin & history

‘Skeeter’s Broom’ comes from a witch’s broom (sport) observed on a red maple (often compared to a ‘Bloodgood’ type). It is generally presented as having been introduced by Skeeter Rodd, which explains the name.