Acer palmatumvar.dissectum‘Crimson Queen’

‘ Crimson Queen ’ ticks all the boxwood on the list of what nurseryman love about Japanese Maples .

It ’s a dwarf Sir Herbert Beerbohm Tree , features shockingly brilliant red fall leafage , has lacing - corresponding serrated leaves , and grows in a cascade down habit that make a unique focal gunpoint in the garden .

‘ Crimson Queen ’ is essentially that quintessential cascade down red Nipponese maple with lacy leaves .

A horizontal image of a small ‘Crimson Queen’ weeping Japanese maple growing in the garden pictured in bright sunshine.

Photo via Alamy.

If that ’s just what your landscape needs , ‘ Crimson Queen ’ has to be near the top of your list of Nipponese maple cultivar .

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It ’s not a everlasting tree , though . It does have a few extra demand if you want it to look its dependable . Do n’t worry , we ’ll go over all of the pros and con of this garden favourite .

A close up vertical image of the deep red foliage of Acer palmatum var. dissectum ‘Crimson Queen.’ To the center and bottom of the frame is green and white printed text.

Photo via Alamy.

Part of what I roll in the hay about ‘ Crimson Queen ’ is that after the beautiful foliation is done for the class , the twisting arm add visual interest to the wintertime landscape , and the contour becomes more telling as the Tree age .

If you ’re in USDA Hardiness Zones 5 to 8 , you ’re in chance . ‘ Crimson Queen ’ can be yours . Coming up , here ’s what we will chat about to help you get to know Her Royal Highness :

What You’ll Learn

Ca n’t wait one bit more ? Then let ’s jump off right in .

Cultivation and History

‘ Crimson Queen ’ is a weeping Japanese maple cultivar . It ’s a standout in the dissectum category , which you’re able to learn more about inour guide to Japanese maple type .

tree in this group be given to be much smaller than the species and have a more shrubby contour , often with a cascading habit .

‘ Crimson Queen ’ was bred in the United States in 1965 , and rapidly became a commercial winner . It won the RHS Award of Garden Merit in 1993 .

A close up vertical image of a ‘Crimson Queen’ weeping Japanese maple growing in a garden border.

This nanus cultivar takes about 15 year to develop to its mature size of about five feet tall and seven feet wide , which may seem boring , but that ’s about the mean growth pace for any Japanese maple .

It can get a second taller with ideal Dominicus vulnerability and wet , but usually , it does n’t grow much taller than five feet . It ’s common for the tree to detain much smaller if it ’s plant in a shady position .

If you are n’t afraid of a little pruning , you’re able to prepare it to be scant or taller than it would be of course , and you’re able to encourage a shaggy-haired material body or a more good one .

A close up horizontal image of the bright red foliage of a ‘Crimson Queen’ Japanese maple pictured in bright sunshine.

take care for a good container option ? You found it . The small-scale size and cascading shape of ‘ Crimson Queen ’ puddle it idealistic for lifetime in a good deal .

When the leaves first emerge in the spring , they unfold into a bass violet - red and reposition to bright Bolshevik over the span of a few weeks . It ’s almost like fall in the springtime , and the leafage makes a beautiful contrast to all the bright spring colors .

It lightens just slightly during the summertime before putting on a crepuscule show with a bright , fire - engine - red hue .

A close up vertical image of a ‘Crimson Queen’ weeping Japanese maple growing in the garden.

‘ Crimson Queen ’ is beloved for its ability to continue its color all summertime long , with the exclusion of occasional leafage scorch or personnel casualty of color in hot , cheery areas .

In blistering regions , it might take on more of a bronze - green chromaticity in the summertime , especially if it ’s growing in lineal Sunday .

The farewell are palmate , deeply lob , finely dissected , with seven to nine lobe , and grow up to four inch foresighted and wide .

A close up horizontal image of the foliage of a weeping Japanese maple pictured in bright sunshine.

The insignificant flowers appear in the bounce and give way to samaras with two wings .

Crimson Queen Propagation

‘ Crimson Queen , ’ as with many cultivated form , wo n’t grow true from come .

They are commonly grafted rather than grown from seed . sense free to give it a try if that ’s something that matter to you – with the understanding that you never bang what you might get .

Our guide will take the air you through the entire physical process .

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Otherwise , bond to planting purchased plants or taking cuttings . Cuttings do n’t always take , so contrive on starting multiples just in typesetter’s case a few do n’t turn out .

Ourguide to growing weeping Nipponese mapleswill take the air you through both plant a purchased works and propagation via cuttings .

The best time of year to do either is the outflow or fall . With a fresh planted tree diagram , be trusted to keep the soil moist but not wet for the first year . The territory should have the same texture as a kitchen sponge that you ’ve wring out really well .

A close up horizontal image of the weeping foliage of a ‘Crimson Queen’ pictured on a soft focus background.

distance trees four feet away on all side from buildings , other plant , or fences .

How to Grow Crimson Queen Japanese Maple

As with most Nipponese maples , this one grows best in loamy , full-bodied , moist land . It will also digest sandy loam . The soil should be slightly acidic , with a pH between 5.5 to 6.5 .

After the first year , when the soil should be continue consistently moist , you may allow the top few column inch of territory to dry out out between lacrimation .

Aninch or two of organic mulch , like well - rotted compost or shredded barque , can help the soil keep wet and it also helps to suppress weeds .

A close up square image of the foliage of a ‘Crimson Queen’ Japanese maple.

Do n’t progress up a stratum of mulch against the torso , though . Keep it a few inches away from the torso itself .

Remember how we talked about the downside of ‘ Crimson Queen ? ’ We ’ve come to that part . She ’s prostrate to scorch . If her ground is countenance to dry out out or she is planted in a emplacement with too much sunshine , the leaf will shrink , turn icteric or browned , and front moth-eaten on the “ fingerbreadth . ”

you may avoid char in some tree by keeping them moist and render afternoon shade . But even if you do that , the tree diagram might still experience leaf singe during very blistering weather .

This tree really does best in a positioning with temperate summers , but if you give it afternoon protection from the sun , it should do fine even in strong regions . If the leaves do suffer from singe , they will eventually flatten , and new foliage will replace them .

That ’s all to say that you should plant in partial sunshine with ghost in the afternoon , or in full sun if it does n’t get too swelter in the summertime in your neck of the woods .

Those in regions with cooler summers like the Pacific Northwest or the northerly Atlantic coast can grow these in full sun . If you ’re in the West or Midwest , best to ply good afternoon shade .

Water is an crucial part of keeping a ‘ Crimson Queen ’ glad during the heat , so stay on top of your irrigation routine during warm weather .

I have a go at it I tell that this tree is suitable for Zones 5 to 8 , but you may grow it in Zone 4 if you choose your planting internet site carefully .

Place it close to a S - facing wall that is protected from strong winds with a cementum or brick basis which will aid to keep the roots warm . Add a thick layer of organic mulch in the fall to serve protect the roots .

‘ Crimson Queen ’ keep a compact size of course , so it impart itself to container farm . head off using short pots made out of credit card or thin metal .

You require something middling hefty so the tree does n’t tip over in gamy farting . A mickle about two feet in diameter that ’s slightly wider than it is marvelous would be idealistic .

occupy the container with a standard potting mix . If you do n’t have a favorite already , I bank by FoxFarm Ocean Forest potting mixture .

It contains earthworm casting , bat guano , Pisces repast , peat moss peat moss , and forest humus , which is an ideal combination for Nipponese maple .

FoxFarm Ocean Forest Potting Mix

Pick up bags in 12 - quart sizesat Amazon .

Keep in creative thinker that container tend to dry out more quickly than the soil in the ground , so keep a tart eye on your tree or set up a drip mould irrigation scheme .

Our guide to growing Japanese maples in containers has more information .

speak of irrigation , whether in the ground or a container , obviate splashing body of water on the leaves . pee should be applied at the reason level to lessen the chance of fungous disease .

You likely wo n’t ever ask to fertilise your Nipponese maple , but if you find your tree diagram seems to be extremely slowly - turn or stunted , do a grime testto substantiation if your soil is substandard in sure nutrient . If it is , amend your stain with the drop nutrient .

If you hump your grime is lacking in nutrients , feel barren tofeed your plant life following our guide .

Growing Tips

Pruning and Maintenance

All Japanese maple need regular pruning to maintain their beautiful coming into court , but tears case need extra attention .

you could encourage the salient human body by snip out the center of attention of the tree diagram so that there are just three to five main branches .

A crowded crown wo n’t be as spectacular as one that is carefully curated to let in the most beautiful leg that contribute to the shape you desire to see .

Some of the most interesting and beautiful Japanese maple specimens out there did n’t materialise by chance . They were cautiously clip , especially when they were immature , to produce a pleasing form .

If you were to crawl under your tree when it is in full leaf and look up , you should be capable to see some sky through the leave and branches . If you ca n’t , then your tree is in need of a good pruning .

you may take all about the unconscious process by visiting ourcomprehensive guide to pruning Japanese maple .

pathological , dead , dying , change form , or damage leaves can be dress out anytime of year , while determine should be done during the wintertime on a solar day when the temperature is above freezing .

Where to Buy

you may find ‘ Crimson Queen ’ all over the blank space . It ’s an super democratic option and is normally carried by garden centers and plant nursery .

‘ Crimson fagot ’

For instance , Nature Hills Nurseryhas live plants in sprinter good deal .

If you are n’t conversant with the condition sprinter mountain , it ’s a pot just under a quart in size moderate a tree under two year old .

Or you could snaffle a one- to two - foot or two- to three - groundwork treefrom Fast Growing Trees .

Managing Pests and Disease

‘ Crimson Queen ’ is susceptible to all the usualcommon diseasesandpests that assail Nipponese maple .

These trees are open to infestation fromaphids , woodborer , andscale . Infestations can range from modest to deucedly serious .

When it comes to disease , catch for anthracnose , powdery mould , Pseudomonas , root hogwash , and verticillium wilt .

We cover all of these in our pathfinder to grow Nipponese maple .

ecumenical signs of a job are yellow or brown leaf , wilting , stunted ontogenesis , and dropping leaves .

Best Uses for Crimson Queen

‘ Crimson Queen ’ is the ruler of specimen plantings . Just seek to look at anything else when she ’s robe in her red gown in the summer .

She also make an splendid container choice , whether that ’s in a large plantation owner or atiny little bonsai pot .

This niggling tree sum up shape to the winter landscape painting and colour during springiness , summertime , and precipitate .

Quick Reference Growing Guide

All Hail the Queen

She ’s an undeniable beauty . It ’s dead clear why she is considered one of the best options if you want a lacy , weeping , red-faced Japanese maple .

She ’s certain to describe all the aid when she ’s sitting on her stool in your garden .

Do n’t end your Japanese maple journey here . These plants are fascinating . Here are some guides to expand your knowledge even further :

© Ask the Experts , LLC . ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.See our TOSfor more detail . intersection picture via FoxFarm and Nature Hills Nursery . Uncredited photograph : Shutterstock .

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Kristine Lofgren