Crimson Queen Japanese Maple

Deep red, finely cut laceleaf foliage that holds its color all season — the Crimson Queen is a living sculpture that gets more beautiful every year.

Crimson Queen (Acer palmatum dissectum 'Crimson Queen') is one of the finest laceleaf Japanese maples ever selected. Its finely dissected, feathery leaves emerge deep red in spring and hold that rich tone through summer — no fading to green like many other red maples. In fall the show intensifies with glowing scarlet hues that light up the landscape. The classic, low, cascading mushroom shape with gently arching branches becomes more sculptural and dramatic with every passing year. It's surprisingly sun-tolerant for a dissectum, handling full sun with minimal leaf scorch.

What I love about it

Crimson Queen is the Japanese maple that delivers on every promise. The color is genuinely deep and rich — a true burgundy-red that holds through the heat of summer when other red maples have faded to green. The finely cut laceleaf texture is extraordinarily delicate and beautiful, catching light and moving gracefully in a breeze. The cascading form is naturally sculptural — it looks like it was designed by an artist. Plant it as a specimen in a bed, near a patio, or in a large container where its form can be appreciated up close. It only gets better with age.

Plant Care Tips

• ☀️ Light: Full sun to part shade — more sun-tolerant than most laceleaf maples
• 💧 Water: Water deeply until established; moderate water needs once mature
• 🌡️ Temperature: Hardy to -20°F (Zone 5)
• 🪴 Difficulty: Easy — low-maintenance once established
• 🐾 Pet Safety: Non-toxic to cats and dogs
• ✂️ Pruning: Minimal needed; light shaping in late winter if desired

Plant Specs

• Mature Size: 8–10 ft tall, 10–12 ft wide (wider than tall)
• Growth Rate: Slow to moderate
• Foliage: Deep red laceleaf; holds color through summer; scarlet fall color
• Form: Low, cascading mushroom shape
• Growing Zone: 5–8

Bloom bold. Be cheeky.