Cryptomeria japonica 'Magic Dragon'
Common Name(s):
Previously known as:
- Cryptomeria japonica 'Gyokruyu'
- Cryptomeria japonica 'Mignone'
- Description
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‘Magic Dragon’ Japanese cedar is a woody, fine needled evergreen shrub or small tree in the cypress family (Cupressaceae). The parent plant is native to Japan. The genus name comes from the Greek krypto, meaning to hide, and meris, which references the concealed position of the reproductive organs.
It is a fast growing cultivar that does well in full sun and acidic to neutral pH, moist, well-drained soils. Its mature height is 5 to 15 feet and width is 4 to 8 feet. It can occupy a space quickly since it can grow up to 18 inches per year. It needs very little pruning and light fertilization in the spring. This cultivar is resistant to diseases, insects, deer, drought, heat, dry soil and urban conditions.
Its newly emerging needles are bright green. They remain on the tree year round and turn an attractive red-bronze color in the winter, providing interest to your winter garden.
Its rapid growth makes it a great choice for a new garden where you are trying to establish your plantings. Its erect pyramidal form is attractive, and it makes an excellent accent or specimen plant. It can be used in foundation plantings, to make entryways or even as an upright element in a container or patio garden. In addition to the winter garden, it is suited for Asian and drought tolerant gardens. It can be used in mass plantings as a hedge, privacy screen, barrier or border.
Insects, Diseases and Other Plant Problems: No significant problems.
- See this plant in the following landscape s :
- Mountain Ridge Top Garden - North Lawn and Upper Drive Border Mountain Ridge Top Garden - North Woods Mountain Ridgetop Garden - East Lawn and Lower Drive Border
- Cultivars / Varieties:
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- Tags:
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- Cultivars / Varieties:
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- Tags:
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Attributes:
- Genus:
- Cryptomeria
- Species:
- japonica
- Family:
- Cupressaceae
- Uses (Ethnobotany):
- Foundation planting
- Life Cycle:
- Woody
- Country Or Region Of Origin:
- Japan
- Wildlife Value:
- This plant attracts songbirds and well as other wildlife that nest in the plant as well as feasting on the small
- Play Value:
- Buffer
- Colorful
- Easy to Grow
- Textural
- Wildlife Cover/Habitat
- Wildlife Food Source
- Wildlife Nesting
- Dimensions:
- Height: 5 ft. 0 in. - 15 ft. 0 in.
- Width: 4 ft. 0 in. - 8 ft. 0 in.
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Whole Plant Traits:
- Plant Type:
- Shrub
- Tree
- Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
- Needled Evergreen
- Habit/Form:
- Erect
- Pyramidal
- Growth Rate:
- Rapid
- Maintenance:
- Low
- Texture:
- Fine
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Cultural Conditions:
- Light:
- Full sun (6 or more hours of direct sunlight a day)
- Soil Texture:
- Clay
- Loam (Silt)
- Sand
- Soil pH:
- Acid (<6.0)
- Neutral (6.0-8.0)
- Soil Drainage:
- Good Drainage
- Moist
- Available Space To Plant:
- 3 feet-6 feet
- 6-feet-12 feet
- NC Region:
- Coastal
- Mountains
- Piedmont
- USDA Plant Hardiness Zone:
- 5a, 5b, 6a, 6b, 7a, 7b, 8a, 8b, 9a, 9b
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Fruit:
- Fruit Color:
- Brown/Copper
- Fruit Length:
- < 1 inch
- Fruit Width:
- < 1 inch
- Fruit Description:
- Cones growing on Cryptomeria are eaten by songbirds and other wildlife.
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Flowers:
- Flower Description:
- No flowers
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Leaves:
- Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
- Needled Evergreen
- Leaf Color:
- Green
- Leaf Feel:
- Prickly
- Leaf Value To Gardener:
- Showy
- Deciduous Leaf Fall Color:
- Brown/Copper
- Red/Burgundy
- Leaf Type:
- Needles
- Leaf Arrangement:
- Whorled
- Leaf Shape:
- Acicular
- Hairs Present:
- No
- Leaf Length:
- < 1 inch
- Leaf Width:
- < 1 inch
- Leaf Description:
- Bright green spiny needles emerge that run a deep green when they mature and red-bronze in the winter.
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Stem:
- Stem Is Aromatic:
- No
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Landscape:
- Landscape Location:
- Container
- Patio
- Small Space
- Walkways
- Landscape Theme:
- Asian Garden
- Drought Tolerant Garden
- Winter Garden
- Design Feature:
- Accent
- Barrier
- Border
- Foundation Planting
- Hedge
- Mass Planting
- Screen/Privacy
- Specimen
- Attracts:
- Songbirds
- Resistance To Challenges:
- Deer
- Diseases
- Drought
- Dry Soil
- Heat
- Insect Pests
- Urban Conditions
