Article and pictures by David Marks. Crimson Queen has long been a favourite of gardeners and it’s easy to understand why. As the leaves open in the spring they are red right from the start, and a particularly attractive shade of red. Throughout the year the leaves remain red only becoming an even deeper red in colour before they fall in late autumn. Crimson Queen grows to an eventual height of about 3m (10ft) if it is not pruned but judicious pruning can reduce that height to as low as 1m (3ft).

The natural cascading shape can be seen in the top right hand picture. This makes Crimson Queen ideal either as a centre piece in a small garden or grown as a companion to other plants and trees. It grows particularly well with rhododendrons and azaleas providing colour when its companions are past their best.

The growing conditions for Crimson Queen are similar to other Japanese Maple trees although this variety is very tolerant of sun. It will stand temperature up to 36°C / 95°F for a few days with little or no evidence of sunburn. In these conditions however, the leaves loose some of their red colour taking on an orange hue.

TECHNICAL DETAILS FOR ACER PALMATUM CRIMSON QUEEN

Genus	Acer
Species	palmatum
Variety	‘Crimson Queen’
Light	Most conditions, tolerates sun well
Hardy	Yes
Soil	Most, but best slightly acidic and well-drained
Height	3m / 9ft after 20 years
Spread	4m / 13ft after 20 years
Spread	Short stem with a mounded crown. Can be pruned to many shapes.
Colour	Red throughout the year, more deep crimson in autumn.
Colour	Yes, an ideal subject for containers
Bonsai	No

LEAF AND TREE FORM

Crimson Queen is part of the dissectum group of acer palmatums and has typical leaf form. They are sized medium to large and have seven to fined fine, long lobes. The individual leaves are almost like thin thin strands giving the tree a deceptively delicate appearance. The leaves remain red throughout the growing season and even in winter, when the leaves have dropped, the stems and stalks remain red.

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