Red Dragon Japanese Maple
Best ornamental tree for gardeners seeking a compact, vibrant focal point.
Discover the captivating Red Dragon Japanese Maple, a stunning ornamental tree from Holly Days Nursery. This deciduous beauty boasts finely dissected foliage that maintains a deep red hue throughout the season, culminating in a brilliant fall display. Its graceful, layered growth habit makes it an ideal focal point for gardens, patios, or mixed landscapes. Thriving in full sun to partial shade, this maple typically reaches a mature height and spread of 6 to 8 feet, offering year-round visual interest and elegant form.
$199.00
Owner Satisfaction
4.7
/ 5
Category Rank
61
/ 2693
#61 in Plants
Price vs Category Average
+355%
Above average
Botanical Name
Acer palmatum ‘Red Dragon’
/ Acer palmatum ‘Red Dragon’
Who it's for
- Gardeners seeking vibrant foliage that persists throughout the entire season
- Designers looking for a sculptural centerpiece for compact outdoor spaces
- Urban dwellers needing a slow-growing tree for containers or patios
Who should skip it
- Residents in hot climates with intense, direct afternoon sun exposure
- Busy homeowners unable to maintain a consistent, regular watering schedule
- Budget-conscious shoppers looking for inexpensive, fast-growing landscape options
Performance breakdown
Foliage Vibrancy
Deep red tones persist beautifully from spring through the autumn months.
Landscape Versatility
Compact size fits perfectly in small gardens, containers, or patio spaces.
Growth Habit
Elegant, layered structure provides a sophisticated architectural element to any landscape.
Environmental Adaptability
Flexible light requirements allow for placement in sun or partial shade.
Visual Impact
Lace-like leaves create a striking focal point with high aesthetic appeal.
Maintenance Ease
Requires standard care to maintain its delicate, refined ornamental form.
Key Specs
Botanical Name
Acer palmatum ‘Red Dragon’
Foliage Color
Purple to red
Mature Height
6 to 8 feet
Mature Spread
6 to 8 feet
Available Sizes
36-42" in 7 gallon and 15 gallon containers
Features
- Finely dissected, lace-like foliage
- Deep red year-round leaf color
- Brilliant fall color transformation
- Graceful, layered growth habit
- Excellent focal point specimen
- Tolerates sun to partial shade
- Adds striking visual interest
- Elegant garden accent
What customers say
Customers consistently praise the exceptional quality and health of the Red Dragon Japanese Maple upon delivery. Reviewers frequently note the robust packaging, ensuring the plant arrives undamaged and ready to thrive immediately. The deep, vibrant burgundy color and elegant weeping form are highlighted as major aesthetic draws, confirming the plant's premium design value in the landscape. This maple is seen as a worthwhile investment for garden enthusiasts seeking reliable, high impact color and structure.
Know before you buy
This cultivar typically reaches a mature height and spread of 6 to 8 feet. You should ensure you have at least an 8-foot diameter of clear space to allow the tree to develop its natural, layered habit without crowding.
Yes, the Red Dragon is an excellent candidate for large containers due to its manageable size and slow growth rate. Ensure your container has adequate drainage holes and is large enough to accommodate the root ball of the 7 or 15-gallon nursery pot.
The Red Dragon is prized for its deep red, lace-like foliage that holds its color well from spring through summer. As autumn approaches, the leaves undergo a brilliant transformation, intensifying in hue before dropping for the winter.
This maple is versatile and thrives in conditions ranging from full sun to partial shade. In regions with particularly intense summer heat, providing some afternoon shade will help prevent leaf scorch and keep the foliage looking its best.
As a dwarf variety, the Red Dragon is a relatively slow grower. You can expect it to reach its mature size of 6 to 8 feet over several years, making it a low-maintenance choice for those who prefer a plant that doesn't quickly outgrow its space.
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$199