Red Dragon Japanese Maple Tree
Acer palmatum 'Red Dragon'
Plant Sentry™
Plant Sentry™
Plant Sentry™ Protected
Your order is protected by our compliance system that:
- Prevents restricted plants from shipping to your state
- Ensures plants meet your state's agricultural requirements
- Protects gardens from invasive pests and diseases
Delivery and Shipping
Delivery and Shipping
Delivery and Shipping
Fast, Safe Plant Delivery
Ships in 3-4 business days • Tracking provided • Weather protected
| Under $50 | $9.99 |
| $50 - $99.99 | $14.99 |
| $100 - $149.99 | $16.99 |
| $150 - $198.99 | $24.99 |
| $199+ | FREE |
✓ Zone-specific timing • ✓ Professional packaging • ✓ Health guarantee
Understanding Plant Options
Nature Hills offers plants in two main formats:
- Container Plants: Grown in pots with soil, sized by container volume and plant age
- Bare Root Plants: Dormant plants without soil, sized by height measurements
Container Plant Sizes
Container sizes indicate plant age and growing capacity rather than liquid volume equivalents. Our containers follow industry-standard nursery "trade gallon" specifications, which differ from standard liquid gallon measurements.
Young Plants (6 months to 18 months old)
| Container Size | Actual Volume | Metric Equivalent |
|---|---|---|
| 2" x 2" x 3" | 0.18 - 0.21 dry quarts | 0.20 - 0.23 dry liters |
| 4" Container | 0.31 - 0.87 dry quarts | 0.35 - 0.96 dry liters |
| 4.5" Container | 0.65 dry quarts | 0.72 dry liters |
| 6" Container | 1.4 dry quarts | 1.59 dry liters |
| 1 Quart | 1 dry quart | 1.1 dry liters |
| 5.5" Container | 1.89 dry quarts | 2.08 dry liters |
Established Plants (18 months to 2.5 years old)
| Container Size | Actual Volume | Metric Equivalent |
|---|---|---|
| 2 Quart | 2 dry quarts | 2.2 dry liters |
| #1 Container | 2.26 - 3.73 dry quarts | 2.49 - 4.11 dry liters |
| 5" x 5" x 12" | 3.5 - 4.3 dry quarts | 3.85 - 4.74 dry liters |
Mature Plants (2-4 years old)
| Container Size | Actual Volume | Metric Equivalent |
|---|---|---|
| #2 Container | 1.19 - 1.76 dry gallons | 5.24 - 7.75 dry liters |
| #3 Container | 2.15 - 2.76 dry gallons | 8.14 - 12.16 dry liters |
Large Plants (3-5 years old)
| Container Size | Actual Volume | Metric Equivalent |
|---|---|---|
| #5 Container | 2.92 - 4.62 dry gallons | 12.86 - 20.35 dry liters |
| #6 Container | 5.25 - 6.01 dry gallons | 23.12 - 26.42 dry liters |
| #7 Container | 5.98 - 6.53 dry gallons | 26.34 - 28.76 dry liters |
Bare Root Plants
Bare root plants are sold by height from the root system to the top of the plant. Plants may exceed minimum height requirements.
Common Sizes:
- Trees: 1 foot, 2 feet, 3 feet, 4 feet, 5 feet, 6 feet
- Shrubs & Perennials: 1 foot, 18 inches, 2 feet
Important Notes
Container Volume Specifications
- Trade Gallon Standard: Our containers follow industry-standard "trade gallon" specifications established by the American National Standards Institute (ANSI Z60.1) for nursery stock
- Volume Variations: Actual soil volume may vary due to plant root systems and growing medium settlement
- Age Indicators: Container size primarily indicates plant age and maturity rather than liquid volume equivalents
Growing Conditions
- Plant size can vary based on variety and growing conditions
- Container size helps indicate plant maturity and establishment level
- Larger containers generally mean more established root systems and faster landscape establishment
Seasonal Availability
- Bare root plants are available seasonally when dormant
- Container plants are available throughout the growing season
- Specific varieties may have limited availability in certain sizes
Questions?
For questions about specific plant sizes or availability, please contact our plant experts who can help you choose the right size for your landscape needs.
Plant Sentry™ Protected
Your order is protected by our compliance system that:
- Prevents restricted plants from shipping to your state
- Ensures plants meet your state's agricultural requirements
- Protects gardens from invasive pests and diseases
Plant Profile & Growing Essentials
Cold hardy, Compact/Dwarf, Fall Color/Interest, Thornless, and Container Friendly
Specifications
Specifications
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Botanical Name
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Height
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Width
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Growing Zones
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Sunlight
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Growth RateModerate
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Flower Color
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Leaf Color
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Fall Color
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Pollinator FriendlyYes
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Bloom PeriodEarly Spring
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Does Not Ship ToAK, AZ, CA, HI, ID, MT, NV, OR, UT, WA
Planting & Care
Planting & Care
The gorgeous fiery roar of the Red Dragon Japanese Maple Tree (Acer palmatum 'Red Dragon') will turn heads when you include it in your landscape this year! Featuring bold color, a layered branch structure, and distinctive, lacy foliage! Red Dragon's vivid purple foliage holds well through the sun and heat of summer until it changes into an outstanding flaming, apple-red color in the fall!
The lacy leaves are accented in the spring with red flowers the bees seek out. Red Dragon keeps its tremendous deep color in sun or shade too! Far better than any other Laceleaf Maples! This radiant Japanese Maple is not only finely textured with its heavily dissected foliage, but also its heavily saturated purplish-crimson and scarlet color that glows!
Red Dragon has a dwarf growth habit and is well-branched with a cascading mound shape. A hardy and vigorous grower can add one foot per year once established and will reach its mature height in just 10 years. Hardy throughout USDA planting zones 5 to 9, Red Dragon is both heat and cold-hardy and very easy to grow!
Landscape Application:
With its bold colors and unique foliage, this outstanding Red Dragon is a perfect choice for a small garden where you need a dramatic high-impact small tree or large shrub that turns heads!
Perfect front yard specimen, especially when elevated onto a raised berm to further highlight it! Include some boulders to allow the branches to cascade and spill out over them! Try a Red Dragon at the bottom of your steps leading to your front door, as the anchor on the corner of your home!
Perfect as a showy focal point throughout your Rock gardens, formal garden accents, and are a must-have for Asian-inspired and Meditation gardens! Include a reflection pool, other flowing shrubs and perennials, boulders, sculptures, and a trickling water feature or waterfall!
When young or kept pruned smaller, Red Dragon becomes an absolutely stunning container plant and can become a spectacular focal point in a large urn or upscale planter! Have some fun and try your hand at creating Bonsai! It's easy with this already ornamental tree!
- Distinctive Scarlet/Crimson Red Palmate Foliage
- Amazing Color & Elegant Branching
- Red Spring Flowers & Scarlet Fall Color
- Lacy Cascading Waterfall Effect
- Incredible Specimens, Accents & Container Focal Points
#ProPlantTips for Care:
Handling more sun than other Japanese Maples, especially in cooler growing zones. In warmer climates, does better in dappled sun and sites with afternoon shade. Red Dragon does need some protection from cold wind and summer drought. It thrives in moist well-drained soil but can tolerate a variety of soil conditions. Not drought tolerant, Red Dragon requires regular watering, especially in the first five years. Prune if needed during the dormant winter months.
- More Sun In Cooler Zones & More Shade In Warmer Climates
- Well-Drained Soil
- Moisture Loving Deciduous Tree
- Prune When Dormant If Needed
- Easy To Grow Showy Ornamental
Fiery bold red color from spring until fall, the gorgeous Red Dragon Laceleaf Japanese Maple Tree will transform your garden into a peaceful respite or upscale landscape! Order this living sculpture today at NatureHills.com!
