tree

Main Street Purpleblow Maple

Acer truncatum 'Main Street Purpleblow'

Not currently listed at our partner nurseries.

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Essentials

At a Glance

Plant Type

Tree

Height

360 inches

Width

300 inches

Light

Full Sun, Partial Sun

Zones

5, 6, 7, 8, 9

Water

Low to moderate

Humidity

Adaptable

Lifespan

Long-lived tree

Native To

China, Korea

Toxicity

Non-toxic

The Story

Plant Bio

Acer truncatum, the Shantung or Purpleblow Maple, is a small to medium-sized tree native to China, prized for its refined habit, attractive foliage, and excellent tolerance of heat, drought, and alkaline soils. 'Main Street' is a cultivar of Shantung Maple noted for its beautiful emerging foliage, which is a striking reddish-purple color before maturing to a glossy green for the summer. It has a rounded, uniform canopy and reliable yellow-orange fall color.

Bloom Period:

EarlyLate

Uses & Benefits:

Provides multi-season interest with its showy purple-red new growth in spring, glossy green summer leaves, and clear yellow-orange fall color. Its rounded form is neat and attractive.

An exceptionally tough and adaptable tree, it thrives in heat, drought, and a range of soils, making it a low-maintenance choice for challenging urban and suburban sites like street medians and parking lots.

While not native to North America, its flowers provide an early nectar and pollen source for bees. Its dense canopy can offer shelter for birds.

Marketplace

Where to Buy

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Planting

How to Grow

Plant in full sun for best growth and color.
Adapts to a wide range of well-drained soils, including clay and alkaline.
Dig a hole twice the width of the root ball.
Set the tree in the hole with the root flare at or just above soil level.
Backfill with native soil and water thoroughly.
Apply mulch to conserve moisture and regulate soil temperature.

Pro Tip

This is a superb, tough, and attractive small maple for locations where larger maples would not fit or thrive.

Keep It Thriving

Care Guide

Do

Water deeply but infrequently once established to encourage drought resistance.
Prune in dormancy to remove any crossing or dead branches.
Allow adequate space for its mature, rounded canopy.

Don't

Do not plant in waterlogged or poorly drained sites.
Avoid excessive fertilization, which is generally not needed.
Don't plant too deep; ensure the root flare is visible.

Seasonal Care Calendar

Task	Jan	Feb	Mar	Apr	May	Jun	Jul	Aug	Sep	Oct	Nov	Dec
Mulch
Prune

Watch Out For

Pests & Diseases

Common Pests

Common Diseases

In the Garden

Landscape Uses & Companions

Landscape Uses

Excellent small-scale shade treeDurable street or parking lot treeAttractive specimen for residential yards

Companion Plants

Calamagrostis x acutiflora 'Karl Foerster' Perovskia atriplicifolia Hemerocallis 'Stella de Oro' Sedum 'Autumn Joy'

Multiply

Propagation Methods

Good to Know

Common Questions

Main Street Purpleblow Maple questions

What zones can Main Street Purpleblow Maple grow in?

Main Street Purpleblow Maple is hardy in USDA Zones 5–9. Inside that range it survives winter in the ground; outside it, grow it as an annual or a container plant you protect.

Is Main Street Purpleblow Maple deer resistant?

Not reliably. Deer may browse Main Street Purpleblow Maple, especially tender spring growth — plan on repellents or fencing where pressure is high.

When does Main Street Purpleblow Maple bloom?

Main Street Purpleblow Maple typically blooms in early spring through mid-spring. Exact timing shifts a week or two with your zone — Sow's bloom calendar maps it to your garden.

Does Main Street Purpleblow Maple need full sun?

Main Street Purpleblow Maple does best in full sun to part shade. In hot climates, afternoon shade keeps blooms fresher longer.

Is Main Street Purpleblow Maple drought tolerant?

Yes — once established (usually after the first full season), Main Street Purpleblow Maple handles dry spells with minimal watering. Water deeply its first year to build the root system that makes that possible.