Red Dragon” – The Weeping Japanese Maple Tree

The weeping Japanese maple tree ‘Red Dragon’ is famous for its superior ability to hold its brilliant red colors throughout the growing season in both sun or shade, unlike other lace leaf cultivars that often turn green in direct summer sun. The ‘Red Dragon’s’ leaves emerge a bright scarlet color in the spring and become darker and more burgundy as they mature, until they reach a flaming scarlet color at the end of the growing season. A relatively new cultivar from New Zealand, the ‘Red Dragon’ is quickly becoming the new standard for judging red dissectums.

The ‘Red Dragon’ Japanese maple grows four to five feet in its first five years and to a maximum height of eight feet. The ‘Red Dragon’ is one of the faster growing Japanese maple trees. At maturity, the ‘Red Dragon’ is usually wider than it is tall. Its dwarf size and weeping characteristic make the ‘Red Dragon’ an excellent tree for a small garden, container, or bonsai plant. Though a vigorous grower, the ‘Red Dragon’ is more compact than the ‘Crimson Queen,’ a more common dwarf Japanese maple.

The ‘Red Dragon’ is a strong grower, especially in USDA zones six through eight. Importantly it should be protected from both extreme wind and cold and uninterrupted afternoon sun in hotter climates to sidestep leaf burn. That said, the ‘Red Dragon’ is more sun-tolerant than nearly all Japanese maple trees. The ‘Red Dragon’ can tolerate nearly all soil conditions but should be planted wherever the soil is well drained to keep away from the possibility of root rot. Additionally, the ‘Red Dragon’ is moderately drought-tolerant but fares better with regular watering, especially in high-temperature conditions.

The deeply cut reddish-purple leaves of the ‘Red Dragon’ are unique among dissectums. The claw-like shape of the leaves gives way to imagining hundreds of red dragon claws hanging from the tree’s cascading branches and gives the ‘Red Dragon’ its name. The leaves grow densely enough to obscure the trunk and branches of the ‘Red Dragon’ during the growing season, but in winter, the unique structure of the tree and its blackish-purple bark makes it an interesting addition in a winter landscape as well.

Developed in New Zealand just twenty years ago, the’ Red Dragon’ is quickly becoming one of the most admired
Japanese maple trees in America. The ‘Red Dragon’ is hardier than many of its cousins and its trainability makes it right for a extensive variety of environments. Growing the ‘Red Dragon’ in a container, as a bonsai, or by pruning to shape during its first few years allows gardeners to design and keep up the desired size and appearance of the tree. The ‘Red Dragon’ doesn’t react well to fertilizer or pesticides in the course of its growing season, making the tree simple to maintain. The ‘Red Dragon’ will not grow from seed and ought to be grafted in order to continue its unique characteristics.

The unique leaf characteristics and hardy growth make the weeping Japanese maple tree ‘Red Dragon’ an ever-well-liked selection for gardeners across America. Its beautiful colors, flexibility, and undemanding care make the ‘Red Dragon’ appropriate for almost any garden environment and will bring four seasons of pleasure to any owner.