Acer pseudoplatanus variegatum ‘Simon Louis Freres’

We’ve always had a soft spot for this variegated Sycamore on our Thurning ground. Its main draw is the fantastic foliage. The large, lobed leaves emerge a dusky, salmon-pink in spring, which is quite a sight. As summer arrives, the colour changes to a bright mix of green splashed and streaked with creamy white. Then in autumn, it puts on a final show with shades of gold and bronze.

This is a much smaller and slower-growing tree than the common Sycamore, making it a better fit for many gardens. It develops a broadly spreading, rounded shape and you can expect it to reach about 12 to 15 metres in height eventually. It’s a tough, adaptable tree that will grow happily in most well-drained soils and is content in full sun or partial shade. It’s also tolerant of wind and urban pollution.

It needs very little in the way of regular pruning. If you see any branches where the leaves have reverted to plain green, it’s best to prune these out to maintain the variegation. Any other pruning to shape the tree or remove damaged branches should be done in winter when the tree is dormant. It’s a superb specimen tree for a lawn, or a standout in a mixed border.