Botanical Name: Acer palmatum 'Red Dragon'
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Common Name: Red Dragon Japanese Maple  
Plant photo of: Acer palmatum 'Red Dragon'
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Water Saving Tip:

Water-wise plants can be beautiful as well as practical.

Take your 'My List' Hydrozone Report to a landscape designer, or local nursery, when selecting and purchasing plants.

  • Anatomy

  • Culture

  • Design

Plant Type

Tree

 

Height Range

6-12'

 

Flower Color

n/a

 

Flower Season

n/a

 

Leaf Color

Purple, Red

 

Bark Color

Brown, Green

 

Fruit Color

n/a

 

Fruit Season

n/a

Sun

Half, Shade

 

Water

High

 

Growth Rate

Slow

 

Soil Type

Clay, Loam

 

Soil Condition

Average, Rich, Well-drained

 

Soil pH

Neutral

 

Adverse Factors

n/a

Design Styles

Formal, Japanese, Tropical, Water Garden, Woodland

 

Accenting Features

Specimen, Unusual Foliage

 

Seasonal Interest

Spring, Summer, Fall

 

Location Uses

Entry, Shrub Border, Foundation

 

Special Uses

Small Spaces

 

Attracts Wildlife

n/a

Information by: Stephanie Duer
Photographer:
  • Description

  • Notes

A newer selection coming out of New Zealand, this Japanese Maple is characterized as having deep, purple-red, finely dissected leaves. Spring color is a brighter red, deepening to a purple red as leaves age. Fall color is flaming scarlet. Well branched, upward than cascading branches creates a pleasing, mounding form. 7 to 8 feet tall, and up to 10 feet wide, but it will get there slowly.
As will all Japanese Maples, provide deep, rich, well composted soil. If you are amending the soil, it is best to dig in compost to the plant's eventual width, so as to provide adequate conditions for the entire, eventual root profile. Amending just the hole that the tree is planted in is akin to planting the tree in a slightly bigger pot. Plant in filtered light to full shade, avoiding any mid-day sun or reflective sun. East or north exposures are best unless thre is a very good canopy and no reflective heat. Water weekly. Do not shear.