Sycamore Maple 'Eskimo Sunset': Variegated Pink-Cream-Green Foliage

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• Family:	Sapindaceae (sap-in-DAY-see-ee) (Info)
  Genus:	Acer (AY-ser) (Info)
  Species:	pseudoplatanus (soo-doh-PLAT-uh-nus) (Info)
  Cultivar:	Eskimo Sunset
  Additional cultivar information:	(aka Esk Sunset)

Overview

Sycamore Maple 'Eskimo Sunset' (Acer pseudoplatanus 'Eskimo Sunset', syn. 'Esk Sunset') is a **stunning variegated cultivar** from New Zealand that transforms the ordinarily green sycamore maple into a kaleidoscope of color. Its leaves emerge in spring with a **dazzling mix of pink, cream, green, and bronze**, maturing to a **green center with broad, irregular creamy-white margins and persistent pink undertones**—a living watercolor.

Foliage Through the Seasons

Spring: New leaves unfurl in **intense salmon-pink, cream, and pale green**—the most dramatic phase. Summer: Mature leaves show **green centers with wide, irregular creamy-white to pale yellow margins**; the pink fades but often lingers as a blush. Fall: The green portions turn **golden yellow**, while the variegated margins often take on **pink-orange tones**—a unique autumn display. The leaves are the classic sycamore maple shape: 5-lobed, 4–8 inches wide, leathery.

Form, Bark & Growth

A **small to medium deciduous tree**, 20–30 feet tall and 15–25 feet wide, with a rounded, spreading crown. Bark is gray-brown, flaking in plates to reveal orange-brown inner bark (ornamental). Growth is **slower than the species** due to reduced chlorophyll. Inconspicuous yellow-green flowers in spring; typical maple samaras (helicopters).

Culture & Care

USDA Zones 5–8. **Full sun to part shade** (afternoon shade preferred in hot climates to prevent leaf scorch on variegated portions). **Moist, well-drained, fertile soil.** Shelter from strong winds. **Reversion (solid green shoots) must be promptly removed.** A **specimen tree par excellence** for its ever-changing foliage tapestry—plant where backlit by morning or evening sun for maximum magic.