Zone 2 · −40°C · Japanese Maple Autumn Colour · Hardy Anywhere

How to Grow Amur Maple from Seed
Acer ginnala — Riverine Maple · Ginnala Maple

The hardiest ornamental maple on Earth — surviving −40°C in the Amur river valleys of Siberia. Autumn colour rivalling Japanese Maple, on a plant that grows where Japanese Maple freezes. Fragrant spring flowers, ornamental red samaras, and spectacular scarlet leaves in September.

Zone 2−40°C · Siberian proven
Sep–OctScarlet autumn colour
3–10 mShrub or small tree
Hedge OKClips exceptionally well
Acer ginnala Amur maple scarlet red autumn leaves October
SALE
−40%
SKU: L35 · Oreshka Seeds
Amur Maple — Acer ginnala
10 PCS fresh seeds · Small deciduous maple · Sapindaceae
€6.25 €10.42

10 seeds per pack · In stock (11 packs) · Ships worldwide in 2–3 days

Detailed Buy

The plant

What is Amur Maple — the Hardiest Small Maple in the World?

Acer ginnala is a small deciduous maple native to river valleys in northeastern China, the Korean Peninsula, and the Russian Far East along the Amur River — one of the most climatically extreme temperate regions on Earth, where winter temperatures regularly reach −35°C to −45°C. It grows 3–10 m tall as a multi-stemmed shrub or small tree, with a short trunk, thin straight branches, and deeply three-lobed leaves that turn extraordinary shades of orange, scarlet, and crimson in September and October.

Its key distinction from all other ornamental maples is cold hardiness: USDA Zone 2, tolerating −40°C. This is the hardiest maple in cultivation by a wide margin — far beyond Japanese Maple (Zone 5–6), Norway Maple (Zone 3–4), or even Sugar Maple (Zone 3). It is the maple of choice for the Canadian prairies, Siberian cities, and northern European climates where no other ornamental maple survives reliably.

Three-season ornamental value: Acer ginnala is genuinely ornamental across three seasons in a way few other trees match. Spring: small, honey-fragrant yellow-green flowers in pendant clusters (April–May). Summer: ornamental red-tinged paired samaras (winged seeds) against the green foliage from July. Autumn: the signature display — orange to deep crimson leaves in September–October, intense enough to rival Japanese Maple cultivars. Winter: attractive bark and branching structure. Four distinct ornamental periods from one tree.
Oreshka Seeds — Expert Note

4–8 weeks cold stratification or direct autumn sowing — both reliable. Seed-grown trees show variation in autumn colour intensity; the best are outstanding. About our collection →

Quick facts

Acer ginnala at a Glance

Native RangeNE China · Korea · Amur Russia
USDA ZoneZone 2 · −40°C · hardiest maple
Autumn ColourOrange → scarlet → crimson · Sep–Oct
Height3–10 m · shrub or small tree
LightFull sun · best colour in sun
UseSpecimen · hedge · multi-season

Growing guide

How to Grow Amur Maple from Seed — Step by Step

  1. 01
    Cold Stratification — 4 to 8 Weeks
    Mix seeds with moist sand in a sealed bag and refrigerate at 2–4°C for 4–8 weeks. Or sow directly outdoors in September–October — the simplest method, allowing natural stratification through winter and reliable spring germination. The samara wing can be left attached or removed — both germinate equally well. Check refrigerator bags after 4 weeks for any showing root tips; sow those immediately.
  2. 02
    Sow 1.5 cm Deep — Cool Conditions
    Sow 1.5 cm deep in free-draining, slightly acidic compost (pH 5.5–6.5) at 10–18°C. Use deep individual pots rather than trays — Acer ginnala develops a long tap root quickly and dislikes root disturbance. Keep in bright indirect light. Cool germination temperature (10–18°C) gives better results than warm. Cover with glass or clear film to maintain moisture.
  3. 03
    Germination — 2 to 4 Weeks
    Seeds germinate in 14–28 days at 10–18°C after stratification. The first leaves (cotyledons) are strap-shaped — distinctive but nothing like the adult foliage. The first true palmate leaves appear within 2–3 weeks of germination. Growth is vigorous from the start. Prick out into individual deep pots when the first true leaf fully unfurls. Handle by a seed leaf, never the stem.
  4. 04
    First Growing Season — Rapid Growth
    Acer ginnala is among the fastest-growing small maples from seed — 30–60 cm in the first growing season is typical in good conditions. Full sun outdoors from late spring. Water regularly through the first summer. Feed once monthly with a balanced fertiliser in year one only. The characteristic three-lobed leaves with their shiny upper surface are present from the second set of true leaves. Some autumn colour appears even on first-year seedlings.
  5. 05
    Plant Out — First or Second Year
    Plant in permanent position in autumn of year one or spring of year two. Acer ginnala tolerates almost any soil — dry, alkaline, clay, compacted — and urban pollution, exposed sites, and wind. Space 3–4 m for a specimen tree; 1–1.5 m apart for a formal hedge. Full sun produces the most intense autumn colour — shade reduces the colour display significantly. Hardy to −40°C without any protection.
  6. 06
    Autumn Colour and Multi-Season Display
    First strong autumn colour appears in year 3–4. In September–October the leaves move through orange, bright scarlet, and deep crimson before falling. The intensity varies between seed-grown individuals — the best specimens rival any named Japanese Maple cultivar for autumn spectacle. In July–August, the red-tinged paired samaras are ornamental against the summer green foliage. In April–May, honey-fragrant flower clusters attract early pollinators. This is genuinely a four-season ornamental tree.
Pro Tip — From the Oreshka Collection

The autumn colour intensity of seed-grown Acer ginnala varies between individuals — some are outstanding crimson-scarlet, others a more subdued orange-red. Grow 5–6 plants from a packet and observe them over 3–4 autumns. The plants that colour earliest, most intensely, and hold colour longest are the superior selections. Once identified, the selected plant can be propagated vegetatively by semi-hardwood cuttings in August, or by air layering in spring, to produce identical copies. One exceptional seed-grown Acer ginnala, correctly selected and propagated, is the equivalent of a named cultivar — achieved at a fraction of the cost.

Compare

Amur Maple vs. Japanese Maple vs. Field Maple

Feature Acer ginnala
Amur Maple · L35		 Acer palmatum
Japanese Maple		 Acer campestre
Field Maple
USDA ZoneZone 2 · −40°CZone 5–6 · −26°CZone 4 · −34°C
Height3–10 m · shrub/small tree2–8 m · elegant form10–15 m · larger tree
Autumn colourOrange → deep crimson · intenseYellow → crimson (cultivar dependent)Yellow · reliable
Spring flowersFragrant honey scent · April–MaySmall red · not fragrantSmall green · not fragrant
Hedge useExcellent — clips wellNot suitable for clippingGood — classic European hedge
Drought toleranceHigh — established plantsModerate — needs moistureHigh

Avoid these

Common Mistakes When Growing Amur Maple from Seed

Planting in shade expecting full autumn colour

Acer ginnala produces its most intense autumn colour in full sun. In partial shade, colour is less vivid and appears later. In full shade, the autumn display is significantly reduced — leaves turn yellow-green rather than scarlet. For the full crimson display, plant in a position with at least 6 hours of direct sun per day.

Disturbing the tap root at transplanting

Acer ginnala develops a long, brittle tap root quickly. Transplanting from trays once the tap root has coiled is difficult and stresses the plant. Sow in deep individual pots (12+ cm) from the start, or prick out very early (at the cotyledon stage) into deep pots. Alternatively, sow direct into the garden for autumn outdoor sowings.

Expecting all seedlings to colour equally

Seed-grown Acer ginnala shows variation in autumn colour intensity — this is normal. Grow multiple plants and observe over 3–4 seasons to identify the best colouring individuals. This selection process is exactly how superior named cultivars were originally identified. The variation is a feature, not a defect.

Underestimating final size

Acer ginnala reaches 3–10 m — it is a small tree, not a shrub in the long-term sense. In a small garden, allow 3–4 m space or plan to manage size by pruning. It responds well to pruning and can be maintained as a multi-stemmed shrub at 2–3 m with annual pruning in late winter.

FAQ

Frequently Asked Questions

How cold-hardy is Amur Maple?
Acer ginnala is USDA Zone 2 — tolerating −40°C. It is the hardiest ornamental maple in cultivation by a wide margin. It grows naturally in the Amur river valley of the Russian Far East, where extreme continental winters are the norm. It is used as a street and park tree in Siberian cities and the Canadian prairies where no other ornamental maple survives reliably.
What is Amur Maple autumn colour like?
The autumn colour is among the most intense of any small maple — orange through bright scarlet to deep crimson in September–October, rivalling the best Japanese Maple cultivars. Seed-grown plants vary somewhat; the best individuals are outstanding garden subjects. Full sun is essential for maximum colour intensity — shade significantly reduces the display.
Can Amur Maple be used as a hedge?
Yes — Acer ginnala clips exceptionally well and was widely used as a formal hedge plant in North American landscape design throughout the 20th century. Plant 1–1.5 m apart and clip in late winter. Even as a clipped hedge, it produces autumn colour and fragrant spring flowers. It tolerates hard cutting and responds with dense, bushy growth.
What is the difference between Amur Maple and Japanese Maple?
Japanese Maple (Acer palmatum) is USDA Zone 5–6, with finely dissected leaves in many named varieties, elegant form, but requiring shelter from cold and late frosts. Amur Maple (Acer ginnala) is Zone 2 — enormously hardier — with simpler three-lobed leaves, faster growth, and the ability to tolerate alkaline soil and urban conditions that kill Japanese Maple. For cold climates (Zone 2–4), Amur Maple delivers similar autumn colour impact with far greater reliability.
Does Amur Maple have fragrant flowers?
Yes — Acer ginnala produces small, honey-scented yellow-green flowers in pendant clusters in April–May, simultaneously with or just before leaf emergence. The fragrance is distinctive and pleasant — unusual for a maple. The flowers provide nectar for early pollinators. Combined with summer ornamental samaras and spectacular autumn colour, this makes Amur Maple one of the most multi-season ornamental trees for cold climates.
How large does Amur Maple grow?
In open garden positions, Acer ginnala typically grows to 3–5 m as a multi-stemmed shrub or small tree over 10–15 years. In optimal conditions as a single-stemmed standard it can reach 8–10 m over many decades. Growth rate is moderate — 30–60 cm per year from seedling. It responds well to pruning and can be maintained at any desired size with annual late-winter pruning.

The Hardiest Ornamental Maple — Zone 2, Siberian Proven

10 fresh seeds · −40°C · Fragrant spring flowers · Red summer samaras · Scarlet autumn colour · Ships worldwide

Buy Seeds — €6.25 → Sale −40% · SKU L35 · 10 PCS · Acer ginnala · Oreshka Seeds