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Small ornamental deciduous hybrid tree
Sapindaceae
Hardy hybrid maple with red fall colour
Northern Glow® hybrid maple
Acer pseudosieboldianum × Acer palmatum ‘Hasselkus’
Northern Glow® is the ‘Hasselkus’ hybrid maple developed in Wisconsin from Korean and Japanese maple parents. Zone 4 hardiness brings refined foliage to many cold Canadian communities. Leaves emerge bronze, mature to green in summer and move from bright orange-red to deep red in autumn. The initially upright form broadens with age and reaches approximately 6.1 m in height and 7.3 m in spread. Plant it in filtered sun or partial shade and organic-rich, evenly moist, well-drained soil. Protect the tree from drying winds, road salt and intense late-day sun. Reserve its substantial mature width from the beginning. A Northern Glow maple is especially effective where the spreading crown can be seen against a simple background. Northern Glow Korean maple is a common retail search name, although the plant is a documented interspecific hybrid.
- Exposure
- Filtered sun to partial shade; full sun only with fresh soil and protection from dry wind
- Hardiness
- Zone 4
Discover the plant
Common nameNorthern Glow® hybrid maple
FamilySapindaceae
GenusAcer
Speciespseudosieboldianum × palmatum
CultivarHasselkus (Northern Glow®)
TypeSmall ornamental deciduous hybrid tree
Botanical nameAcer pseudosieboldianum × Acer palmatum ‘Hasselkus’
Northern Glow® maple (Acer pseudosieboldianum × Acer palmatum ‘Hasselkus’) is the hybrid developed in Madison, Wisconsin, by Professor Ed Hasselkus from seed of a Korean maple pollinated by a Japanese maple. The ‘Hasselkus’ selection combines Korean-maple hardiness with refined Japanese-maple foliage. Palmate leaves emerge bronze, mature to green in summer and shift from bright orange-red to deep red in autumn. The young tree is upright, then the crown broadens gracefully with age. Allow approximately 6.1 m in height and 7.3 m in spread at maturity. Northern Glow® is rated Zone 4, extending an Asian-maple aesthetic into colder Canadian landscapes.
Across Canada, grow Northern Glow® in filtered sun or partial shade, ideally east of a building or hedge that reduces prevailing winds. It tolerates full sun when roots remain cool, but hot, dry and reflective sites increase leaf scorch. Choose fertile, organic-rich, evenly moist, well-drained soil with a slightly acidic to neutral reaction. Water deeply through the first two growing seasons, prolonged drought and a dry autumn before freeze-up. Keep the root flare and graft union visible, then spread 5 to 8 cm of mulch without touching the trunk. Avoid road salt, compaction, waterlogged soil and excessive nitrogen.
Use Northern Glow® as a specimen in a residential yard, near a patio, within a Japanese-inspired garden or at the edge of a large layered bed. Reserve mature width from the beginning and keep the crown clear of wires, walls, foundations and paving. Minute flowers emerge with the foliage in spring and may be followed by samaras. A mature crown can provide perches or nesting locations, but this non-indigenous hybrid has limited ecological value; combine it with regionally native plants. Remove only dead, damaged or crossing wood. Avoid shearing and topping so the natural transition from upright youth to a broadly spreading mature silhouette remains intact.
Planting guide
From planting to establishment.
Spacing / density
Space approximately 7 to 8 m (23 to 26 ft) from trees of similar size
Best planting time
Spring or early fall, allowing enough time for root establishment before freeze-up
Propagation
Vegetatively propagated cultivar, generally by grafting
Soil and care
The right care,at the right time.
Soil pH
Slightly acidic to neutral, approximately 5.5 to 7.0
Minimum temperature
Approximately −28.9°C to −23.3°C (Zone 5)
Care level
Low to moderate
Watering
Water slowly and deeply after planting, then keep the root ball and surrounding soil evenly moist through the first two growing seasons. Check moisture beneath mulch before watering again. During prolonged drought, soak the developing root zone before leaves wilt or brown. Avoid small daily applications beside the trunk, standing water and systems that keep bark continually wet. Expand the irrigated area as roots extend beyond the original planting hole.
Soil type
Choose fertile, organic-rich, evenly moist and well-drained soil. Slightly acidic to neutral loam supports root establishment and consistent colour. Loosen a broad area without burying the root flare and correct drainage before planting. Avoid continually waterlogged clay, rapidly drying sand, compacted fill and small pits surrounded by paving because root stress promotes leaf scorch and dieback. Preserve an uncompacted zone beyond the original planting hole as the tree grows.
Fertilization
In fertile soil, organic mulch and a thin surface layer of mature compost are generally sufficient. If growth appears weak, test the soil before applying a labelled tree fertilizer. Avoid heavy nitrogen, products placed against the trunk and late-season feeding, which can extend soft growth before winter. Steady growth creates a stronger framework than forced growth and reduces unnecessary maintenance. Correct moisture and drainage before assuming that fertilizer will solve pale or limited growth.
Moisture
Average to evenly moist; consistent moisture without standing water
Seasonal care
In spring, inspect the trunk, graft union, root flare and main branch unions after snowmelt. Restore 5 to 8 cm of mulch without covering bark, remove tight ties and water when rainfall is inadequate. Compare bud break across several branches before declaring winter injury. In summer, check moisture, drainage and compaction whenever leaf margins brown; young foliage can also be damaged by dry wind and intense sun. Watch for aphids, scale insects, leaf spots and Verticillium symptoms, then obtain a diagnosis before treating. Prune after leaves expand or during dormancy to remove only dead, broken, diseased or crossing wood. In autumn, water deeply before freeze-up when soil is dry and collect heavily spotted leaves. In winter, keep salt-laden snow outside the root zone and protect a young trunk from rodents without binding the guard. Clean tools between trees, never top the crown and have major cracks assessed by a qualified arborist. Reassess clearance from buildings, wires and paving periodically. Record heat, irrigation and damage events to separate site stress from recurring pest or disease problems. After storms, look for split branches, torn unions and damaged ties. Remove winter guards before heat builds and keep mowers outside the mulch ring. During drought, direct water across the full developing root zone rather than applying small amounts at the trunk. Inspect leaves from several parts of the crown before diagnosing a disorder. Check drainage during snowmelt and protect soil from construction traffic. If repeated scorch occurs, review afternoon exposure, wind and rooting volume before applying products. Replace damaged guards promptly but never fasten them tightly around expanding bark.
Bloom and dimensions
Its place,in your garden.
Mature height
Approximately 6.1 m (20 ft)
Width / spread
Approximately 7.3 m (24 ft)
Flower color
Purplish red, discreet
Foliage color
Bronze at emergence, green in summer; bright orange-red to deep red in autumn
Foliage type
Deciduous
Growth rate
Slow to moderate, generally around 30 cm (12 in) per year
Growth habit
Upright when young, becoming broadly spreading and graceful with age
Bloom period
Small purplish-red flowers appear discreetly in spring before or as leaves unfold. They are not the cultivar’s principal feature, but add seasonal detail and may provide a temporary resource for early-active insects. Abundance varies with tree age, weather and nearby maples. Avoid insecticides during flowering unless a diagnosis and specific need justify treatment. Winged samaras may develop later when pollination succeeds and the tree is mature enough.
Fruiting
Winged samaras may follow flowering when the tree reaches maturity and pollination succeeds. They remain secondary to the foliage, and quantity varies from year to year. Seedlings do not reproduce the Northern Glow® cultivar faithfully because named plants are propagated vegetatively. Do not identify a volunteer seedling as the same cultivar. Remove unwanted seedlings while small and keep the root flare clear of accumulated fruit and debris. A young tree may produce few or no samaras for several seasons.
Garden associations
In goodcompany.
Companion plants
Pair Northern Glow® with dwarf conifers, dogwoods, serviceberries, viburnums, ferns, hostas, Canada wild ginger and Solomon’s seal that enjoy fresh, well-drained soil. Regionally native shrubs suited to the site add flowers, fruit and cover. Establish companions toward the future crown perimeter without cutting roots or covering the flare. Keep a broad mulch ring open for inspection and watering. Avoid invasive groundcovers, frequent digging and large competing trees positioned too close. Similar moisture requirements simplify long-term care as shade increases beneath the broad crown.
Frequently asked questions
Your questions,answered.
Is Northern Glow® a pure Korean maple?
No. Northern Glow® is the trade name for the ‘Hasselkus’ hybrid between Korean maple, Acer pseudosieboldianum, and Japanese maple, Acer palmatum. Professor Ed Hasselkus developed it in Madison, Wisconsin, from seed of the Korean parent. This origin explains Zone 4 hardiness and foliage that more closely resembles the Japanese parent. A label showing only Acer pseudosieboldianum ‘Northern Glow’ therefore oversimplifies the identity. Use the complete hybrid name and ‘Hasselkus’ cultivar when selecting, comparing or caring for the plant. Seedlings produced from samaras will not reproduce this named cultivar faithfully and should not be sold under the same name. This distinction prevents inaccurate expectations about mature size, form and hardiness.
How large does Northern Glow® maple grow?
Northern Glow® reaches approximately 6.1 m in height and 7.3 m in spread at maturity, or about 20 by 24 ft. It is upright while young, then the crown becomes broadly spreading and eventually wider than tall. Growth is generally slow to moderate, near 30 cm per year depending on the site. Measure clearance from the trunk centre and keep buildings, wires, utilities, paving and other trees away. The young sale plant will continue broadening for many years. Correct placement allows the natural form to develop without topping or large future cuts. Climate, soil quality and growing-season length affect how quickly mature dimensions are reached.
Is Northern Glow® hardy enough for Canadian winters?
Northern Glow® is rated Zone 4 by J. Frank Schmidt. It suits many populated Canadian communities when the local zone and microclimate meet that requirement. Choose shelter from prevailing winds, avoid low areas that collect water and stop late nitrogen applications so shoots mature before winter. Water deeply before freeze-up when autumn is dry and keep salt-laden snow away from roots. In a zone colder than 4 or an exposed wind corridor, injury becomes more likely. Confirm the site’s current Canadian hardiness zone and consider wind, snow cover, drainage and frost pockets before planting. Local nursery experience can help interpret a borderline location accurately.
Does Northern Glow® prefer full sun or partial shade?
Northern Glow® accepts full sun to partial shade, but filtered light or morning sun with light late-day shade reduces scorch. A position east of a building or hedge also protects against prevailing winds. Full sun can work when roots have access to fresh, deep, mulched soil, although paving, drought and reflected heat increase stress. Very dense shade can reduce vigour and autumn colour. Observe actual hours of sun, protect a broad root zone and water deeply through establishment instead of frequently wetting only the trunk. Exposure should be considered together with wind, soil volume, drainage and available irrigation rather than as an isolated factor.
How should Northern Glow® maple be pruned?
Allow Northern Glow® to move naturally from an upright young form to a broadly spreading crown. Remove dead, broken or diseased wood, a crossing branch and a weak union before it becomes large. Avoid shearing, topping and repeated cuts intended to contain a tree planted too close to a structure. Maples can bleed heavily in spring, so work after leaves expand or during dormancy in dry weather with clean tools. Remove only a small portion of the crown at one time. Consult a qualified arborist before a large cut or when a crack affects a main scaffold. Correct placement remains the most effective long-term pruning strategy.
Wildlife and pets
Life,around your plants.
Attracts birds
Yes
Supporting wildlife
Minute flowers emerging with spring foliage may be visited by some insects, and samaras add an occasional resource. A mature crown provides perches, cover and potential nesting locations. Northern Glow® is nevertheless a non-indigenous horticultural hybrid with limited ecological value; combine it with several layers of regionally native plants to provide more food, shelter and seasonal continuity within the garden.
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