October Glory Red Maple
Acer rubrum 'October Glory'
America's most reliable red maple for spectacular fall color, producing brilliant orange-red to crimson foliage that lasts weeks longer than other maples. This fast-growing native adapts to various soil conditions and consistently delivers the stunning autumn display that makes it a landscape favorite. An excellent choice for creating dramatic seasonal interest in large yards.
Harvest
N/Ad
Days to harvest
Sun
Full sun to partial shade
Zones
2–9
USDA hardiness
Height
40-120 feet
Planting Timeline
Showing dates for October Glory Red Maple in USDA Zone 7
All Zone 7 ornamental-tree →Zone Map
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October Glory Red Maple · Zones 2–9
Growing Details
Zone-by-Zone Planting Calendar
Complete Growing Guide
Soil: Clay, High Organic Matter, Loam (Silt), Sand. Soil pH: Acid (<6.0), Neutral (6.0-8.0). Drainage: Good Drainage, Moist, Occasional Flooding, Occasionally Dry, Occasionally Wet. Water: Height: 40 ft. 0 in. - 120 ft. 0 in., Width: 30 ft. 0 in. - 50 ft. 0 in.. Height: 40 ft. 0 in. - 120 ft. 0 in.. Spread: 30 ft. 0 in. - 50 ft. 0 in.. Spacing: more than 60 feet. Growth rate: Rapid. Maintenance: Low. Propagation: Root Cutting, Seed, Stem Cutting. Regions: Coastal, Mountains, Piedmont.
Harvesting
The paired, winged, fruit is in a "V" shaped, red, pink, or yellow, winged samara about 3/4 of an inch long on drooping stems. They turn tan or brown when mature and drop from the plant. In North Carolina, the samaras are available from April to July.
Color: Brown/Copper, Gold/Yellow, Red/Burgundy, Variegated. Type: Samara. Length: < 1 inch.
Garden value: Showy
Harvest time: Spring, Summer
Bloom time: Spring, Winter
Edibility: The sap contains sugar and this can be used as a drink or be concentrated into a syrup by boiling off the water. The syrup is used as a sweetener on many foods. This species only yields about half the quantity obtained from the sugar maple (A. saccharum).
History & Origin
Origin: Newfoundland to Florida West to Minnesota Oklahoma and Texas.
Advantages
- +Disease resistance: Black Walnut, Compaction, Deer, Drought, Fire, Heat, Pollution, Urban Conditions, Wet Soil
- +Attracts: Attracts Pollinators, Buffer, Colorful, Edible fruit, Pieces Used in Games, Screening, Shade, Wildlife Food Source, Wind Break
- +Edible: The sap contains sugar and this can be used as a drink or be concentrated into a syrup by boiling off the water. The syrup is used as a sweetener on many foods. This species only yields about half the quantity obtained from the sugar maple (A. saccharum).
- +Fast-growing
- +Low maintenance
Companion Plants
Plant Together
Hosta
Thrives in partial shade created by maple canopy, complementary foliage textures
Astilbe
Enjoys dappled shade and consistent moisture from maple's root zone
Coral Bells
Shallow roots don't compete with maple, adds colorful foliage contrast
Ferns
Natural woodland companions that appreciate shade and leaf mulch
Wild Ginger
Native groundcover that thrives under maple canopy, prevents soil erosion
Azalea
Both prefer acidic soil and partial shade, complementary spring blooms
Caladium
Colorful shade-loving annual that complements maple's fall colors
Japanese Painted Fern
Silvery foliage provides contrast, thrives in maple's filtered light
Keep Apart
Black Walnut
Produces juglone toxin that can damage maple roots and inhibit growth
Large Conifers
Compete for water and nutrients, create overly dense shade
Turf Grass
Competes aggressively for surface water and nutrients with shallow maple roots
Pests & Disease Resistance
Resistance
Good overall disease resistance, improved over species
Common Pests
Aphids, scale insects, borers, leaf hoppers
Diseases
Verticillium wilt, tar spot, anthracnose, root rot in wet soils