Red Dragon Weeping Japanese Maple

Light Needs

Partial Sun to Full Sun

(At Least 5 Hours of Direct Sunlight)

Mature Height

8-10 Feet

Mature Spread

10 - 12 Feet

Growing Zones

5 to 8

The Red Dragon Weeping Japanese Maple, or Acer Palmatum Dissectum ‘Red Dragon’ is a graceful dwarf tree with cascading branches and elegant, finely textured foliage that maintains its color all summer long. The Red Dragon Maple will grow to be from 6 to 10 feet tall, and has a spread of 10 to 12 feet. This deciduous show-stopper will be the highlight of your casual landscape. In spring and summer, the threadleaf foliage will stun in cherry red to maroon shades, but in fall, when it transforms into a brilliant crimson wonder, it will amaze.

The Red Dragon Weeping Japanese Maple is native to Japan, and beloved for its more open form that lends an air of casual grace into formal landscapes. Its toothed, seven-lobed leaves resemble dragon claws when dissected, which is where it gets its unusual name. The Red Dragon attracts songbirds who love it for its many cascading perches. It is fantastic as a container specimen that can be used as an accent in gardens, patios, and entryways. It has a low canopy that is well-suited under power lines. 

Red Dragon Weeping Japanese Maple Care

You should plant your Red Dragon in the fall. It is known to tolerate full sun better than other varieties, and can be planted in areas of full sun to partial shade. It thrives best in rich, sandy, or loamy soil that is slightly acidic and well-drained. The Red Dragon uses moderate water and should be watered once per week after it’s been established. The soil should be consistently moist, but not soggy. You can give your Japanese Maple tree and shrub fertilizer in the spring to keep it healthy and strong.

You should avoid pruning your Japanese Maple, if possible. If you must cut it back to retain its shape, it is best to choose late fall or winter to avoid bleeding. Prune your Red Dragon in separate layers to bring focus to scaffolding branches. Never cut more than a fifth of the tree's canopy, or you could inadvertently send it into shock. Shell pruning is the best type of pruning for Japanese Maples.

Red Dragon Weeping Japanese Maple Spacing

The Red Dragon is widely used as a container or pot plant because of its petite size. It is perfect as a crimson focal point in any mixed bed, and pairs well with azaleas, gardenias, and other dwarf varieties. You should plant your Red Dragon Weeping Japanese Maples 5 feet apart or more to give it room to thrive.