Plants grown in northern gardens: Maple.

At least three species of Maple are cultivated in gardens as far north as Iceland. These species grow as trees or bushes. The Maples have opposite branches and leaves and separate male and female flowers.  Many know the Maples because of their characteristic handshaped five- or three-loped forms and large winged fruit.  The overall structure of the trees is also quite typical.  Species that can be grown in northern gardens include Norway Maple (Acer platanoides), a low growing tree with a dense crown, Sycamore (A. pseudoplatanus), a tall-growing Maple popular for over a century as a garden tree in Iceland and Field Maple (Acer campestre) that either grows as a bus or a tree.