Maple
Bride of Dragon
Acer truncatum
An incredibly rare and resilient dwarf Shantung Maple introduction. 'Bride of Dragon' features a highly compact, structurally dense mounding habit with cleanly scaled, classic 5-lobed palmate foliage typical of the rugged Acer truncatum species. Rather than burning or bleaching, its thick, waxy leaves bask effortlessly in full sun. The foliage emerges a fresh, light green in spring, remains an attractive, deep glossy emerald all summer, and undergoes a magnificent autumn transformation into an intense, multi-toned cloud of brilliant yellow-gold and warm apricot-orange.
Growing Specifications
- Height
- 6-8 feet (A true slow-growing dwarf that broadens comfortably with age)
- Spread
- 6-8 feet
- Watering
- Moderate; highly drought-resistant once established, though appreciates uniform baseline soaking
- Light
- Full Sun
- Heat Tolerance
- Elite; handles extreme Southern summer thermal loads without leaf-scorch
- Growth Rate
- Slow / Dwarf (Characterized by highly compact, dense annual node extensions)
- Soil Requirement
- Highly adaptable; thrives in heavy native clays, alkaline soils, and blackland prairie profiles
North Texas Micro-climate Notes
Expert Curated Selection. Unlike traditional or variegated Japanese maples, 'Bride of Dragon' completely rejects the need for afternoon shade cloth or wind protection. It performs at its absolute best when positioned in full, baking sun, which naturally locks in its exceptionally tight internode spacing and maximizes its vibrant fall color intensity.
History & Lineage
- INTRODUCED BY
- Keith Johansson (Metro Maples)
- HISTORY
- Selected, evaluated, and named by premier Shantung maple authority Keith Johansson at Metro Maples in Texas. Sourced as a rare dwarf seedling from the legendary 'Sweet Spot' seed line, it was introduced to provide modern collectors with an ultra-tough, compact accent tree fully equipped to conquer alkaline conditions and harsh Texas summers.
Care Instructions
Extremely low-maintenance. While highly tolerant of heavy native clay beds, breaking up the immediate soil profile and top-dressing with a 2-inch layer of organic bark mulch will support rapid initial root colonization. Prune minimally; its dense, rounded silhouette is completely self-governing.
Landscape Usage
Perfect as a low-maintenance vertical feature in sun-drenched rock gardens, flanking modern architectural paths, anchoring sunny borders, or curated as a bulletproof container specimen for exposed urban patios.
Fun Fact
This cultivar is a direct, hard-fought breakthrough in regional dwarf maple breeding. It is an exclusive dwarf survivor selected from a massive trial batch of seedlings, inheriting its brilliant, glowing orange autumn pigments directly from its famous parent lineage, 'Sweet Spot'.
Awards
Highly coveted across premium specialty nurseries and collector registries for introducing elite climate toughness to dwarf maple selections
