Species
Acer rubrumRed Maple13 other cultivars
‘October Glory’October Glory Red Maple
‘Autumn Flame’Autumn Flame Red Maple
‘Florida Flame’Florida Flame Red Maple
‘Frank Jr’Redpointe Red Maple
‘Summer Red’Summer Red Maple
‘Franksred’Red Sunset Maple
‘Northwood’Northwood Red Maple
‘Bowhall’Bowhall Red Maple
‘Red Rocket’Red Rocket Red Maple
‘Autumn Radiance’Autumn Radiance Red Maple
‘Magnificent Magenta’Burgundy Belle Red Maple
‘Brandywine’Brandywine Maple
‘Sun Valley’Sun Valley Red Maple
The Story
Plant Bio
Acer rubrum is a deciduous canopy tree native to eastern and central North America, where it inhabits moist lowlands and river valleys. It produces showy clusters of bright red flowers on bare branches in early spring before developing glossy foliage.
'Somerset' is a male selection derived from a cross between 'October Glory' and 'Autumn Flame' that produces no seeds. It forms an upright, oval crown and reliably develops long-lasting scarlet foliage in late fall.
Uses & Benefits:
Essentials
At a Glance
Plant Type
Tree
Height
600"
Width
360"
Light
Full Sun, Partial Sun
Zones
4, 5, 6, 7, 8
Water
Moist to wet
Humidity
High
Lifespan
Long-lived
Native To
North America
Toxicity
Non-toxic
Bloom period
Early spring – Spring
In flower about 3 months of the year
Planting
How to Grow
- Select a planting site in full sun to partial shade with acidic, moisture-retentive soil.
- Dig a hole twice as wide as the root ball and equal to its depth.
- Position the tree so the root flare sits slightly above the surrounding soil surface.
- Backfill with native soil, tamp down gently to remove air pockets, and water thoroughly.
- Apply a 3- to 4-inch mulch ring around the root zone, keeping mulch off the main trunk.
Pro Tip
Plant in acidic soils with a pH between 4.5 and 6.5; planting in alkaline soils triggers nutrient lockup that causes severe leaf chlorosis.
Keep It Thriving
Care Guide
Do
- Maintain consistent soil moisture, especially during dry summer periods.
- Apply organic mulch to retain root-zone moisture and suppress competition.
- Prune only in late summer or early fall to prevent sap bleeding.
Don't
- Do not plant in alkaline soil with a pH above 6.5.
- Do not prune in late winter or spring when active sap flow leads to heavy bleeding.
- Do not allow young trees to experience severe drought stress.
Seasonal Care Calendar
| Task | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Fertilize | ||||||||||||
| Mulch | ||||||||||||
| Pest Check | ||||||||||||
| Prune |
Watch Out For
Pests & Diseases
Common Pests
Common Diseases
In the Garden
Landscape Uses & Companions
Landscape Uses
Multiply
Propagation Methods
Good to Know
Common Questions
Somerset Red Maple questions
What zones can Somerset Red Maple grow in?
Somerset Red Maple is hardy in USDA Zones 4–8. Inside that range it survives winter in the ground; outside it, grow it as an annual or a container plant you protect.
Is Somerset Red Maple deer resistant?
Not reliably. Deer may browse Somerset Red Maple, especially tender spring growth — plan on repellents or fencing where pressure is high.
When does Somerset Red Maple bloom?
Somerset Red Maple typically blooms in early spring through spring. Exact timing shifts a week or two with your zone — Sow's bloom calendar maps it to your garden.
Does Somerset Red Maple need full sun?
Somerset Red Maple does best in full sun to part shade. In hot climates, afternoon shade keeps blooms fresher longer.
More Acer to compare
Bloodgood Japanese Maple
Acer palmatum 'Bloodgood'
Orangeola Japanese Maple
Acer palmatum 'Orangeola'
Crimson Queen Japanese Maple
Acer palmatum 'Crimson Queen'
Weeping Japanese Maple
Acer palmatum 'Shidare'
Coral Bark Maple
Acer palmatum 'Sango-Kaku'
Final Fire Japanese Maple
Acer palmatum 'Final Fire'
Keep exploring
Explore the genus
Hardy in your zone?
Grow Somerset Red Maple with confidence
See it in a design of your actual yard, get zone-matched care reminders, and track it season by season in your garden journal.