Japanese Maple Crimson Queen
Acer palmatum 'Crimson Queen'
A stunning weeping Japanese maple with cascading branches that create a natural waterfall effect in the landscape. The deeply dissected red-purple foliage maintains its vibrant color throughout the growing season, making it one of the most sought-after ornamental trees for adding dramatic focal points to gardens.
Harvest
N/Ad
Days to harvest
Sun
Partial shade to dappled sunlight
Zones
5–8
USDA hardiness
Height
15-25 feet
Planting Timeline
Showing dates for Japanese Maple Crimson Queen in USDA Zone 7
All Zone 7 ornamental-tree →Zone Map
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Japanese Maple Crimson Queen · Zones 5–8
Growing Details
Zone-by-Zone Planting Calendar
Complete Growing Guide
Light: #deciduous#bronze#shrub#purple leaves#slow growing#samaras#red leaves#bonsai#yellow leaves#tsc#fall interest#understory tree#dappled shade#deer resistant#nighttime garden#copper leaves#children's garden#red fruits#playground plant#self-seeding#pollinator plant#larval host plant#deciduous tree#bird friendly#tsc-t#imperial moth#mccarthy memorial garden#landscape plant sleuths course#wildlife friendly#th-sight#woodland#cpp#HS111#illustration#HS304#fpp. Soil: High Organic Matter. Drainage: Good Drainage, Moist. Water: 'Atropurpureum', 'Ben Komachii', 'Bloodgood', 'Burgundy Lace', 'Crimson Queen', 'Garnet', 'Gwens Rose Delight', 'Higasayama', 'Jordan', 'Kagiri Nishiki', 'Kiyohime', 'Koto no ito', 'Mikawa yatsubusa', 'Mizuho Beni', 'Moonfire', 'Novum', 'Orange Dream', 'Orangeola', 'Osakazuki', 'Oto hime', 'Redleaf', 'Ryusen', 'Sango-Kaku', 'Seiryu', 'Shaina', 'Sharp’s Pygmy', 'Sherwood Flame', subsp. matsumurae, 'Trompenburg', 'Twombly Red Sentinel', 'Waterfall', 'Yuri Hime'. Height: 15 ft. 0 in. - 25 ft. 0 in.. Spread: 10 ft. 0 in. - 25 ft. 0 in.. Growth rate: Slow. Maintenance: High. Propagation: Grafting.
Harvesting
A schizocarp of two samaras, wings incurved forming an arch, becoming reddish.
Color: Brown/Copper, Red/Burgundy. Type: Samara, Schizocarp.
Harvest time: Fall
Bloom time: Spring
History & Origin
Origin: Asia: Japan, China, Korea, eastern Mongolia, southeastern Russia
Advantages
- +Disease resistance: Deer, Drought
- +Attracts: This tree is mildly resistant to damage by deer.
- +Wildlife value: Members of the genus Acer support Imperial Moth (Eacles imperialis) larvae which have one brood per season and appear from April-October in the south. Adult Imperial Moths do not feed. Small song birds are attracted to this plant.
Considerations
- -High maintenance
Companion Plants
Plant Together
Hostas
Thrive in similar partial shade conditions and complement the maple's delicate foliage with contrasting textures
Astilbe
Shares preference for moist, well-draining soil and partial shade while adding colorful plumes that enhance the maple's form
Japanese Painted Fern
Creates beautiful understory layer with silvery foliage that complements red maple leaves and tolerates similar growing conditions
Coral Bells
Provides ground-level color coordination with burgundy and red foliage varieties that echo the maple's crimson tones
Azaleas
Share acidic soil preferences and shallow root systems that won't compete aggressively with the maple's roots
Ajuga
Forms attractive groundcover that helps retain soil moisture and suppress weeds without competing for nutrients
Caladiums
Provide seasonal color with heart-shaped leaves that complement the maple's delicate structure in shaded areas
Begonias
Thrive in the filtered light beneath the maple canopy and add continuous blooms without root competition
Keep Apart
Black Walnut
Produces juglone toxin that can cause leaf yellowing, stunted growth, and potential death in Japanese maples
Eucalyptus
Releases allelopathic compounds that inhibit growth and can cause stress to nearby Japanese maples
Large Conifers
Create excessive shade and compete aggressively for water and nutrients, stunting the maple's growth
Mint
Highly invasive spreading habit can overwhelm the maple's shallow root zone and compete for moisture and nutrients
Pests & Disease Resistance
Resistance
Moderate resistance, susceptible to verticillium wilt and leaf scorch
Common Pests
Aphids, scale insects, spider mites
Diseases
Verticillium wilt, anthracnose, leaf scorch, root rot