Fall Shipping Notice
Fall is one of the best times to plant. As temperatures cool, plants naturally begin entering dormancy. Depending on the variety, your plant may arrive with fall color, partial leaf drop, or bare stems. This is normal seasonal behavior and does not mean the plant is unhealthy.
Fall planting gives roots time to establish while the soil is still warm, helping plants get a stronger start when new growth begins in spring.
Crimson Queen Maple
Regular price
$44.99
Zone Map
Plant Factory Direct
Crimson Queen Maple
Description
Crimson Queen Japanese Maple
Acer palmatum 'Crimson Queen'
Give your garden a focal point worth slowing down for. Crimson Queen Japanese Maple pairs finely cut burgundy foliage with graceful, cascading branches, bringing texture and seasonal color to patios, entryways, and thoughtfully placed containers. Start with our nursery grown Premium Quart and enjoy watching its sculptural character develop over time.
Best Time to Plant: Spring or Fall
Order February–June or September–November for the strongest start. Summer and winter orders may be held until it's safe to ship.
BEST VALUE: Premium Quart — Grow Your Garden Over Time
A nursery grown starting plant for gardeners who value the growing journey. The Premium Quart is the size offered on this page, giving you an approachable way to begin your Crimson Queen planting rather than paying for a larger, finished landscape specimen.
Choose your Premium Quart Crimson Queen Maple and add it to your cart to begin your garden's next focal point.
BUDGET-FRIENDLY STARTER: Premium Quart
Start small with the same Crimson Queen variety and allow time for roots, branching, and canopy to develop. Ideal for patient gardeners planning a lasting feature, not an instant full-sized tree.
FILL YOUR BOX & SAVE 15%
Build your planting with Crimson Queen Japanese Maple and enjoy a flat 15% discount.
Savings apply automatically at checkout.
What Makes This Plant a Good Choice
- Finely cut burgundy foliage adds delicate texture without needing flowers.
- A naturally weeping form creates an elegant, layered silhouette.
- Compact growth suits carefully planned small-garden focal points.
- Fall foliage brings a fresh burst of color as the season changes.
- Light corrective pruning preserves its natural character.
What This Plant Does For You
- Turns a quiet garden corner into a destination for your eye.
- Softens patios and entryways with cascading foliage.
- Adds rich contrast beside green-leaved shade plants.
- Brings sculptural branching to the winter garden after leaves fall.
- Rewards your care with a more distinctive focal point as it matures.
Plant Highlights
- Botanical name: Acer palmatum 'Crimson Queen'.
- Mature size: Typically about 6–8 feet tall with a similar spread; allow room for the cascading canopy.
- Foliage: Finely cut burgundy-red leaves; colorful fall tones.
- Bloom: Small red flowers; grown primarily for foliage and form.
- Hardiness: USDA Zones 5–8; Zone 9 performance depends on local conditions and protection from heat.
- Light: Partial shade or dappled light, with morning sun and afternoon protection in hot climates.
- Water: Consistent moisture, especially while establishing and during dry spells.
- Soil: Moisture-retentive but well-drained; avoid waterlogged sites.
- Habit: Deciduous, weeping; slow to moderate growth.
- Available size: Premium Quart; listed shipping height approximately 6–8 inches, season dependent.
Plan a place where you can enjoy its cascading foliage up close. Add your Premium Quart Crimson Queen Maple to your cart.
Premium Features & Solutions
When a garden needs character rather than another flowering shrub, Crimson Queen delivers through leaf texture, color, and form. Its layered branches make it especially appealing near a patio or in an elevated bed where the canopy can be appreciated. In a suitable container, it can become a moveable design feature, provided roots have good drainage and moisture is monitored closely.
Choose Your Size
Premium Quart: The option currently available on this listing. This is a young nursery grown plant, not a mature landscape specimen. Allow time for establishment and canopy development. Container size does not guarantee an exact plant height or branching pattern.
Smart Growing Guide
Beginner: Plant with confidence
- Choose morning sun or dappled light with shelter from hot afternoon exposure.
- Pick a well-drained site with room for the mature canopy.
- Dig a hole wider than the root ball and no deeper than its height.
- Remove the pot carefully, gently loosen circling roots, and plant at the existing soil level.
- Backfill and water thoroughly. Mulch around the root zone without covering the trunk.
- Check moisture regularly. Water deeply when needed, keeping soil moist but not soggy.
- Let the tree establish before making shaping cuts. Remove damaged or dead growth as needed.
Advanced: Optimize foliage and form
Balance enough light for rich leaf color with protection from reflected heat and drying wind. Maintain an evenly moist root zone through summer; avoid alternating saturation and drought. In containers, use a well-draining mix and drainage holes, and monitor moisture more often than in-ground plantings. Fertilize lightly in early spring according to the product label. During dormancy, make selective corrective cuts rather than shearing or forcing an unnatural shape.
Pro Tips for Maximum Impact
- Position the tree where its cascading silhouette can be seen from a window or seating area.
- Pair burgundy foliage with green or gold-toned shade plants for contrast.
- Avoid hot pavement edges and walls that reflect intense afternoon heat.
- Keep mulch clear of the trunk and refresh it to help buffer soil moisture.
Frequently Asked Questions
Click arrow to open Answers
How does the Premium Quart compare with a larger plant?
The quart is a smaller starting plant that needs more growing time to develop landscape presence. A larger container generally provides a more substantial initial canopy. This page currently offers the Premium Quart only.
Where can I find the Fill Your Box offer?
See the Crimson Queen Japanese Maple callout above for the current offer.
How large does Crimson Queen grow?
Typically about 6–8 feet tall with a similar spread. Climate, growing conditions, and age influence its eventual size.
Can it grow in full sun?
It can tolerate more direct sun in cooler regions, but partial shade or dappled light is a safer choice in hot climates. Protect it from harsh afternoon and reflected heat.
Can I grow it in a container?
Yes, with suitable drainage and consistent care. Start with a container appropriate to the root ball and move up in size as it grows.
Will it lose its leaves?
Yes. Crimson Queen is deciduous. Bare branches during dormancy are normal and reveal its graceful structure.
Why do the leaf edges look scorched?
Hot sun, reflected heat, drying wind, or inconsistent moisture can stress delicate foliage. Check soil moisture and exposure before making changes.
Does it need heavy pruning?
No. Preserve the natural weeping habit. Use light corrective pruning during dormancy to remove dead, crossing, or poorly positioned branches.
When should I plant it?
Spring or fall is preferred. Avoid planting into frozen or waterlogged soil, and take extra care with watering during warm weather.
How big is the plant when shipped?
The listing gives an approximate Premium Quart shipping height of 6–8 inches. Actual size and foliage vary with the season.
Take Action Now
Begin the focal point your future garden will grow around. Choose a sheltered spot and give your nursery grown Crimson Queen the time and care to develop its distinctive form.
Select your Premium Quart and add to cart today.
Ordering & Shipping
Our processing time usually is 1-3 days after receiving the order. Orders taken after 4:00 pm on Wednesday through Sunday will be shipped the following Monday.
The Plant Factory, Inc. offers the very best shipping processes to ensure quick, safe, and near-perfect results every time. Cold and heat may deter your order temporarily until it is safe to receive and plant your plants/trees in your area. At our discretion, we will hold order until the threat is gone, ensuring you with the healthiest and most viable product ordered.
Summer/Winter Shipping Restrictions: Summer above 95 degrees | Winter below 34 degrees.
Note: The images and videos on our site are the best way to show off our products and show how good we are as growers. Depending on the season you buy, you may get a plant that is smaller or bigger than the picture shows. The plant might bloom like it does on our site, but it might not. We cut off the blooms most of the time because they don't ship well. When you buy our plants, think of them as an investment in your future garden, and enjoy the process of seeing it grow to its fullest.