Acer palmatum var. dissectum 'Crimson Queen' (Japanese Maple)

Acer palmatum var. dissectum 'Crimson Queen' is a purple, cut-leaved Japanese maple cultivar popular for its attractive spring and summer purples, its showy cut-leaved foliage, and its medium-high sun tolerance. Although this cultivar's showy red-purple foliage looks great in the spring and summer, 'Crimson Queen' shows off its best colors in the fall, when foliage brightens to a vibrant crimson red. Growing to only 6-10' tall, 'Crimson Queen' makes for an excellent focal point and specimen tree in any landscape, but especially as contrast in landscapes with a lot of greenery; its compact size also allows it to be grown as a container plant, in small spaces, or even fairly close to buildings and other structures.

'Crimson Queen' Japanese maple prefers slightly acidic, well-draining soil, and should be protected from strong winds due to its fragile branches. While other cultivars are much more susceptible to sun scorch, Acer palmatum var. dissectum 'Crimson Queen' responds to brighter light with more vibrant burgundy purple hues. Even though 'Crimson Queen' tolerates full sun exposure, extra mulching and watering through hot, dry summers will result in a much better show of fall foliage.