Acer palmatum var. dissectum ‘Red Dragon’
Japanese maples are among the most versatile small trees for the garden and landscape, and ‘Red Dragon’ is a dwarf, fuss-free beauty with elegant branch patterning and fantastically colorful, dainty foliage.
Highly ornamental, ‘Red Dragon’ plants have a compact size and a relatively slow growth rate that makes them ideal for smaller landscapes, garden nooks, and containers. But there’s nothing small about the impact of their beautiful, filigree leaves!
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The upright, rounded habit with weeping branches gives a graceful profile that makes a striking focal point for foundations, islands, mixed shrub beds, or patio planters, and it’s among the best for retaining its vibrant burgundy shading in full sun.
The lacy, deeply dissected leaves give a long-lasting and impressive show.
They emerge bright cherry red in spring, deepen to a dark, delicious merlot or plum color for summer, then brighten to a stunning cerise for fall’s foliage finale.
And in winter, the dense frame of handsome, red-stemmed twiggy branches are made for a string of holiday twinkle lights!
If your garden’s ready for an infusion of red-toned sophistication, let’s jump into how to grow ‘Red Dragon’ Japanese maple!
Here’s what you’ll find ahead:
What Is ‘Red Dragon’ Japanese Maple?
‘Red Dragon’ is a dwarf cultivar of Acer palmatum var. dissectum, also known as laceleaf, cutleaf, threadleaf, or weeping Japanese maples.
A. palmatum is a popular species that hails from Japan and eastern China. And the variety name, dissectum, refers to the shape of the foliage.
The leaves are deeply cut with a delicate, feathery nature – apparently, they resemble a dragon’s claws, hence the colorful cultivar name!
These deciduous trees have a mature height and spread of six to 10 feet – smaller when grown in containers, usually three to five feet – with a strong, central leader stem and multiple branches in an open, rounded form with a weeping habit.
Along with the graceful form, ‘Red Dragon’ shines for its three seasons of color-changing foliage.
New growth is bright red with the leaves deepening to burgundy in summer, then brightening again once frosty temperatures arrive.
‘Red Dragon’ retains its red hues in summer better than most Japanese maples.
In spring, small, inconspicuous flower corymbs appear, maturing into burgundy samaras in late summer to early fall.
Samaras are the two-winged, seed-containing whirligigs that spin as they travel on the wind.
The plants also provide winter interest with an attractive, multi-branched silhouette, and coarse, grayish bark on the leader and main branches plus red stem tips.
These compact trees typically have a clearance of about three feet from the ground and grow at a slow rate. But they are long-lived, with a lifespan of up to 80 years.
Their upright and weeping growth adds unique beauty to protected sites throughout the landscape and ‘Red Dragon’ can handle full sun in temperate areas, although light afternoon shade is recommended in regions with intense afternoon sunshine.
They have moderate cold hardiness and are suitable for growing in Zones 5 to 8.
Cultivation and History
The islands and territories of Japan are home to 23 known species in the Acer genus, but the many beautiful landscape specimens known as Japanese maples come mainly from two species, A. palmatum and A. japonicum.
Development of the ornamental cultivars started in Japan in the early 1600s, but it wasn’t until the end of the 1700s that they were introduced to Europe, making their way to North America by the mid-1800s.
Easily cultivated with few problems, today Japanese maples are a welcome addition to small yards or large landscapes.
Dwarf Japanese maple varieties like ‘Red Dragon’ and ‘Crimson Queen’ make a striking focal point for compact spaces such as city and courtyard gardens, foundations, nooks and islands, or as an impressive spiller in large containers and patio planters.
‘Red Dragon’ Japanese Maple Propagation
For the home gardener, ‘Red Dragon’ Japanese maple trees are best propagated from softwood stem cuttings or via grafting.
Starting trees from seed is possible, but because the original stock was most likely grafted, the seedlings they produce won’t be true to the parent.
Here’s how to start softwood cuttings:
Take softwood cuttings in mid-spring, four to eight weeks after new growth emerges.
Use clean, sharp shears to remove six- to eight-inch tips from softwood stems that have hardened slightly.
Remove leaves from the bottom half of the cuttings but keep the tip leaves intact.
To improve chances of rooting, dip the cut end in a rooting hormone powder. Shake gently to remove excess powder.
Fill six-inch pots with a rooting soil blend or make your own from equal parts of coir or peat moss, landscape sand, and perlite.
Water lightly to moisten the soil mix but don’t saturate it.
Insert the cut ends halfway up the stem and firm the soil carefully around them to keep them in place.
Set the cuttings in a site that receives bright, indirect light. Water daily with a gentle mist setting.
Roots should develop within three to four weeks.
Our guide to growing Japanese maples covers this process in detail.
In fall, plant your new saplings into 12-inch pots to give them another year of growth before planting out into garden beds or a permanent container.
If you’d like to try your hand at grafting, our guide to grafting Japanese maples has all the details.
Transplanting
The easiest way to get started is to purchase a plant from a garden center or nursery and transplant it into the garden.
Fall is the best time to plant as it gives the roots time to get established while the rest of the tree is dormant, but spring works as well.
And if you receive a lot of winter rain, planting in a raised mound can be a good idea. Elevating the roots in a mound helps to avoid standing water and improves drainage. Mounds should be at least 18 inches above the garden soil level.
Loosen the soil in the planting site to a depth of 18 inches.
To your garden soil, mix in one part of compost, well-rotted manure, or worm castings to enrich the soil – Acer species do best with moderate amounts of nutrient rich organic materials.
Mix in one part landscape sand, pea gravel, or stone chips to give the plants the sandy texture they prefer and to improve soil drainage.
Add in one part of moisture-retentive material, like coconut coir, peat moss, perlite, or vermiculite to help keep the soil lightly moist.
Create a planting hole three times the width and one to one and a half times the depth of the root ball.
Fill the hole with water and then let it drain.
Carefully remove the tree from the nursery pot and gently loosen some of the feeder roots from the top of the root ball only, but don’t try to spread them all out before planting.
Set your tree in place with the top of the root ball level with the soil line or up to four inches above it – the faster your soil drains, the closer to the soil line the top of the root ball can be.
After checking that the leader trunk is straight, backfill with soil, firming it gently in place.
Water gently but deeply so that the entire root ball gets a drink.
How to Grow ‘Red Dragon’ Japanese Maple
‘Red Dragon’ is best grown in lightly moist, organically rich, well-draining soil with a sandy loam texture and slightly acidic pH of 6.0 to 6.5.
It grows in full sun to part shade, but the foliage can suffer from scorch in areas with hot summers, especially if the soil isn’t kept consistently moist.
A site with light afternoon shade is beneficial for areas that experience intense afternoon sunlight.
Japanese maples are also prone to scorch from other environmental stressors like overly dry soil and hot, drying winds, and this is particularly true for cultivars with highly dissected leaves, like ‘Red Dragon.’
The deep cuts in the foliage create a large surface area for maximum moisture absorption, but they’re also fast to dry out in hot winds, causing the leaves to brown and curl.
Choose a sheltered growing site that can provide protection from drying winds.
After planting, water new trees regularly to help them become established, and water weekly in summer, in the absence of rain to maintain good health.
Once established, keep the soil evenly and lightly moist. A steady supply of moisture keeps the thin, delicate leaves well-hydrated and helps to prevent burning and drying out.
Container Grown Plants
‘Red Dragon’ is ideal for growing in large containers and patio planters.
It has a compact size to start with and Japanese maples are “self stunting,” which means that the canopy growth slows when the roots are confined.
The results are that they can stay in the same pot for years without sizing up or pruning the roots. The one in the photo above has been in the same pot for 25 years with no problems!
Choose a container that’s two or three times the volume of the root ball and ensure it has drainage holes – these trees are sensitive to soggy soil and can easily develop root rot in wet conditions.
I like to add a two-inch layer of porous drainage material over the drainage holes to keep the water moving and avoid issues like wet soil. Materials such as broken pottery or pebbles work well for this.
Fill the container to three quarters with a good quality potting soil. Or you can mix your own blend.
Use two parts loamy garden soil; and add one part compost, manure, or worm castings for nutrients; one part gritty material for drainage; and one part moisture retentive materials to help keep the soil lightly moist.
Water the soil in the pot and let it drain away through the holes in the bottom.
Remove the tree from its nursery pot and set into place, ensuring the leader trunk is straight.
Add more soil to cover the roots leaving the top of the root ball level with the soil line or about two inches above it. Firm the soil gently in place and water deeply.
Add a layer of mulch to help keep the soil lightly moist and water when the top of the soil dries out, watering deeply.
Read our guide to learn more about growing Japanese maples in containers.
Growing Tips
Easily cultivated ornamentals, the following tips will help your ‘Red Dragon’ to thrive!
- Plant in a site with at least six hours of sunlight per day for the best leaf coloration.
- For the most attractive leaves, provide them with a site sheltered from strong winds.
- Water regularly to keep the soil evenly moist.
Pruning and Maintenance
‘Red Dragon’ does an admirable job of retaining an attractive shape and requires very little in the way of pruning.
If pruning is required, do so in late fall to mid-winter, but a light summer trim is also acceptable. However, avoid pruning in temperatures above 80°F – the previously shaded bark may be tender and prone to sun scald.
In winter, it’s easier to see the branches to make the cuts needed to lift the canopy. But in summer, you get a better idea of where the thinning needs to happen if you want to expose more of the interior.
It’s also important to not remove more than a quarter of the tree’s crown or more than a quarter of the leaves on any individual branch at any one time.
Removing more than these amounts can cause unnecessary stress and starve the tree of nutrients.
In late winter, use your fingers or a small hand rake to groom the branches and remove any dead leaves still clinging to them.
At the same time, remove any dead branches using clean, sharp shears or a small garden saw.
To lift the canopy or branches dragging on the ground, follow the stem’s tip up to a strong side branch, removing the lower branch just below the junction.
Learn more about pruning Japanese maples in our guide.
When grown in a full sun location, the canopy usually becomes fully foliated. In partial shade, it remains open and airy, exposing some of the tree’s “bones” in layers or tiers – a cultured look often found in botanical or display gardens.
To create a cascading, fan-like profile, in summer, trim the branches lightly into overlaid tiers that arch over the next layer, but don’t touch.
Use clean, sharp shears to trim away small branches that are touching or crowding the next lowest layer. But use a light touch to prevent stress. It’s better to sculpt your tree over a period of two or three years than to remove too much in a single season.
To help maintain evenly moist soil, in summer apply a two or three inch layer of mulch, using materials such as shredded bark, conifer needles, chopped leaves, leaf mold, pebbles, or straw.
In winter, applying a thick layer of mulch over the root zone helps to protect the roots from cold exposure and from heaving in freeze/thaw cycles.
‘Red Dragon’ has a moderate appetite and should be fertilized sparingly.
In spring as new growth emerges, side dress with a two-inch layer of compost, manure, or worm castings.
Or you can apply a half-strength solution of a liquid fertilizer formula or slow release pellets.
Happy Frog Organic Japanese Maple Fertilizer
Happy Frog Organic Japanese Maple Fertilizer is formulated for the (slow) job and has an NPK of 4-3-4.
You can find Happy Frog available from Maple Ridge Nursery.
Read up on how to fertilize Japanese maples in our guide.
Where to Buy
‘Red Dragon’ is a popular cultivar and can be found in many garden centers and plant nurseries.
‘Red Dragon’
If you prefer to shop online, you can find plants available at Nature Hills Nursery.
Alternatively, Maple Ridge has ‘Red Dragon’ in a variety of nursery pot sizes.
Managing Pests and Disease
Like other Japanese maples, these are easy-care trees but they can develop fungal problems when grown in less than ideal environments.
Diseases you may come across include anthracnose, botrytis, fusarium wilt, leaf spot, verticillium wilt, and stem canker. Most are spread by insects, or water splashing onto branches and foliage, or overly wet conditions.
Provide your trees with good air circulation on all sides, trimming lightly to open the canopy or to lift the bottom branches off the ground if needed.
To avoid wet soil, it must be well-draining. Amend the soil with gritty material like landscape sand, pea gravel, or stone chips to improve drainage or plant trees in an elevated mound.
Ensure containers have drainage holes and avoid overwatering.
Also, the use of a drip irrigation system is helpful to avoid splashing water and pathogens onto the leaves.
If needed, spray your tree with a natural fungicide like neem oil to control problems.
You can learn more about common Japanese maple diseases in our guide.
Potential pest problems you may come across include aphids, beetles, and scale. Our guide to managing common Japanese maple pests can help you resolve any issues.
Best Uses for ‘Red Dragon’ Japanese Maple
The fine, fern-like leaves of ‘Red Dragon’ have a light, delicate look and give a beautiful texture to the landscape.
The trees can tolerate partial shade, and with their compact size and airy form, they’re the ideal understory plant for adding color and privacy without crowding in borders and screens.
Massed in a row, they provide a colorful border or seasonal hedge.
And as a standalone accent, ‘Red Dragon’ makes a striking focal point for foundations, islands, and mixed shrub beds. Add some companion plants for added garden interest.
They’re ideal for containers and planters on balconies, decks, and patios or throughout the garden, adding color, height, and texture. And can even be trained as bonsai.
Quick Reference Growing Guide
| Plant Type: | Dwarf deciduous tree | Foliage Color: | Burgundy (summer), cerise (fall) |
| Native to: | China, Japan, Korea | Maintenance: | Low |
| Hardiness (USDA Zone): | 5-8 | Tolerance: | Part shade |
| Season: | Spring, fall | Soil Type: | Humus rich |
| Exposure: | Full to part sun | Soil pH: | 6.0-6.5 |
| Time to Maturity: | 10 years | Soil Drainage: | Well-draining |
| Planting Depth: | Crown at soil level or a little above | Uses: | Accents, borders, bonsai, containers, foundations, islands, seasonal screens, and mixed shrub beds |
| Spacing | 3-6 feet | Family: | Sapindaceae |
| Height: | 6-10 feet, smaller in containers | Genus: | Acer |
| Spread: | 6-10 feet, smaller in containers | Species: | Palmatum |
| Water Needs: | Moderate | Variety: | var. dissectum |
| Common Pests and Disease: | Aphids, beetles, caterpillars, mealybugs, and scale insects; Anthracnose, canker, leaf scorch, leaf spot, root rot, powdery mildew, tip blight, verticillium wilt | Cultivar: | Red Dragon |
Airy and Elegant Dwarf Trees
With an elegant appearance and airy, delicate leaves that change colors with the seasons, ‘Red Dragon’ is a beautiful dwarf cultivar with all the best qualities of Japanese maples.
A striking choice as an accent for foundations and islands and a superb addition to containers, give them the conditions they like, and they’re low fuss ornamentals.
Maintain lightly moist soil for strong, vibrant roots and provide a sheltered spot out of hot, drying winds for healthy, happy leaves – then sit back and watch the beautiful shades of red change from spring to summer and summer to fall!
Is ‘Red Dragon’ on your list of must-haves? If you have any questions, let us know in the comments section below.
And for more information about growing Japanese maples, be sure to add these guides to your reading list next:
