Acer 'Dragon Tears'
Best vertical accent for gardeners with limited space.
The Acer 'Dragon Tears' is a striking Japanese Maple celebrated for its intense crimson hues throughout the seasons. It emerges with bright red spring foliage that deepens to burgundy in summer before transforming into an even more vibrant scarlet in the fall. Complementing the leaves, the stems display a distinctive garnet color, providing bright interest against the winter landscape. This columnar variety is perfectly suited for filling containers or adding vertical color to narrower garden spaces. It thrives best when provided with full sun or partial shade, making it an excellent ornamental specimen for foliage lovers.
$79.95
Owner Satisfaction
4.5
/ 5
Category Rank
2378
/ 4677
#2378 in Landscaping & Garden Plants
Price vs Category Average
+189%
Above average
Who it's for
- Gardeners seeking dramatic architectural focal points
- Landscapers prioritizing vibrant seasonal color transitions
- Urban dwellers with limited patio or container space
Who should skip it
- Gardeners in regions with harsh, direct afternoon sun
- People living in exposed, windy, or drought-prone environments
- Budget-conscious buyers looking for inexpensive nursery stock
Performance breakdown
Seasonal Color Impact
Intense crimson foliage provides a dramatic visual shift throughout the year.
Spatial Versatility
Columnar habit fits perfectly into narrow garden beds or patio containers.
Winter Aesthetic
Garnet-toned stems offer striking structural interest during the dormant season.
Growth Manageability
Compact mature dimensions make this an ideal specimen for smaller landscapes.
Light Adaptability
Thrives across a flexible range of sun and partial shade conditions.
Establishment Potential
Trade gallon sizing offers a healthy foundation for rapid garden integration.
Features
- Provides foliage interest in all seasons
What customers say
Consumers consistently praise the exceptional quality and robust health of the Acer 'Dragon Tears' upon arrival. The meticulous packaging ensures the delicate specimen survives transit, a major win for mail order plants. Focusing on design, buyers are captivated by its unique weeping habit and striking seasonal foliage, confirming its status as a garden centerpiece. Though positioned at a premium price, the successful establishment and superior aesthetics justify the investment for most enthusiasts.
Know before you buy
This Japanese Maple reaches a mature height of approximately 15 feet with a spread of 8 feet. Its columnar habit makes it an ideal choice for vertical interest in tighter garden spaces.
Yes, its columnar growth habit makes it well-suited for container gardening. Ensure you use a pot with adequate drainage and provide enough space for the root system to develop.
Yes, the 'Dragon Tears' offers seasonal color shifts. It emerges with bright red spring foliage, deepens to a rich burgundy in the summer, and finishes with a vibrant scarlet display in the fall.
This Acer thrives in either full sun or partial shade. Providing some protection from intense afternoon sun can help maintain the vibrancy of the foliage in hotter climates.
A trade gallon is a standard nursery container size, typically holding about 3 quarts of soil. It is a common size for young, healthy specimens ready to be transplanted into larger pots or directly into your landscape.
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$80