Acer rubrum ‘October Glory’

‘October Glory’ is a female cultivar that, as the cultivar name suggests, is perhaps best noted for its exceptional fall color. It grows to 40-50′ tall with an oval rounded form. Attractive red flowers appear in early spring before the foliage emerges. Flowers give way to red-tinged samaras (to 1 1/2″ long). Glossy dark green leaves with red stems have 3-5 lobes and are 3-6″ across. Leaves retain good green color well into fall (longer than many other A. rubrum cultivars), and in more northern areas are sometimes subjected to frost prior to acquiring fall color. Orange to red fall color for this cultivar is brilliant in most years.