Magic Dragon Cryptomeria Cryptomeria japonica 'Magic Dragon'
Other Common Name(s):
Previously known as:
- Cryptomeria japonica 'Gyokruyu'
- Cryptomeria japonica 'Mignone'
- Description
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Magic Dragon Cedar is a slow growing dwarf evergreen shrub or small tree that does well in full sun to partial shade in acidic moist well drained soils. It will need very little pruning and light fertilization with a balanced fertilizer in the spring. 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, up to 18 inches per year, make 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, used in foundation plantings, to make entryways or even as an upright element in a container garden planting. It is resistant to pests and diseases, drought, heat, dry soil, and deer browsing.
Its dense form and layered branches make it an ideal nesting spot for birds and other wildlife.
It is not easily propagated by the home gardener. Select stems from specific parent plants must be chosen to reproduce this cultivar.
Insects, Diseases, and Other Plant Problems: No serious issues. When experiencing extreme heat or when grown in containers, regular watering is recommended.
- See this plant in the following landscapes:
- Mountain Ridge Top Garden - North Lawn and Upper Drive Border Mountain Ridge Top Garden - East Lawn and Lower Drive Border
- Cultivars / Varieties:
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- Tags:
- Cultivars / Varieties:
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- Tags:
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Attributes:
- Genus:
- Cryptomeria
- Species:
- japonica
- 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
