The ‘Red Dragon’ weeping Japanese maple tree is best known for its outstanding ability to keep its flaming red colors the full growing season in both sun or shade, unlike other lace leaf cultivars that often turn bronzy-green in open summer sun. The ‘Red Dragon’s’ leaves emerge a sizzling scarlet color in the spring and grow to become darker and more burgundy as they mature, until they reach a blazing scarlet color at the closing stages of the growing season. A somehwhat new introduction from New Zealand, the ‘Red Dragon’ is quickly becoming the new standard for judging red dissectums.
In its first five years the ‘Red Dragon’ Japanese maple grows 4 to 5 feet tall and to a upper limit height of 8 feet. One of the quicker growing Japanese maple trees s the ‘Red Dragon’. On reaching maturity, the ‘Red Dragon’ is bush-like being slightly wider than it is tall. Its small size and weeping characteristic make the ‘Red Dragon’ a first-rate tree for a tiny garden, container, or bonsai plant. The ‘Red Dragon’ is a strong grower, but still more compact than the ‘Crimson Queen,’ a more familiar dwarf Japanese maple tree.
The ‘Red Dragon’ grows in USDA zones six through eight and must be protected from both extreme wind and cold and direct afternoon sun in hotter climates to avoid leaf burn. Even so, the ‘Red Dragon’ is more sun-tolerant than most Japanese maple trees. The ‘Red Dragon’ can tolerate most soil conditions but should be planted where the soil is well drained to avoid root rot. Additionally, the ‘Red Dragon’ is moderately drought-tolerant but fares better with regular watering, especially in high-heat 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.
Looking to find the best deal on weeping Japanese maple trees, then visit http://japanese-maple.com/red_dragon_grafted.html to find the best advice on “Red Dragon” weeping Japanese maple tree for you.