Dragon Tears Japanese Maple Specimen

Dragon Tears

Acer palmatum
โ— In Stock
๐ŸŒฟ Weeping
Cultivar Description & Characteristics
Dragon Tears is a mesmerizing weeping cultivar featuring gracefully cascading branches laden with finely textured, deeply cut leaves. The foliage emerges in spring with rich bronze-green tones tinged with hints of delicate pink along the edges. As summer progresses, the weeping canopy matures into a deep, solid green before transforming into brilliant gold and crimson in autumn. Its weeping, serpentine habit makes it a magnificent feature plant.
โ†•
10-Yr Height 5.0
โ†”
10-Yr Width 6.0
Seasonal Foliage Spectrum
Spring: Bronze-Green
Summer: Deep Green
Fall: Gold and Crimson
Sun Tolerance Ratings
8
Morning Sun 8 / 10
4
Afternoon Sun 4 / 10
โ˜€๏ธ Morning Sun Guidance: Highlights the rich bronze-green tones tinged with delicate pink edges.
โ˜€๏ธ Afternoon Sun Guidance: Weeping habit performs best when sheltered from direct afternoon heat.
Image highlights cultivar traits and is not exact photo of available stock. Image is property of Pungo Maples, unauthorized use prohibited.

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Growth Habit & Size

Upright ยท Spreading ยท Weeping

Upright framework with spreading, slightly contorted and semi-pendulous branches; not a fully cascading form.

What do these growth habit terms mean?

More than one term can apply. Branch direction, crown shape and size describe different characteristics, and the outline can change as a tree matures.

Upright
Main stems and branches emphasize upward growth. An upright tree can still develop a broad canopy.
Spreading
Branches extend outward to form a broad canopy. The tree does not have to be wider than it is tall.
Weeping
Branches or branchlets arch or hang downward. The tree can still have an upright trunk.
Rounded
The crown has a rounded outline. This describes the overall shape rather than the direction of each branch.
Dwarf
A cultivar with a smaller natural stature than typical forms of its species. Dwarf describes size, not branch direction or a fixed height limit; it does not automatically mean slow growth.

For example: Bloodgood can grow upright while developing a broad, rounded canopy with spreading branches.

Learn more: NC State plant forms ยท Bloodgood profile ยท RHS trees for smaller gardens

Roots & heritage

The story behind Dragon Tears

Cultivar origin
Belvidere, Franklin County, Tennessee, USA
Discovered / selected by
Ray Jackson and Cindy Jackson
Collection
Jackson Nursery

Acer palmatum 'Dragon Tears' is marketed under that name but was patented under the cultivar denomination 'JN4'. Ray and Cindy Jackson discovered the distinctive weeping maple in a production seedling bed at their nursery in Belvidere, Tennessee, during spring 2006. According to US plant patent PP22,249, the seedlings originated from collected seeds planted in 2005; their specific parents were not identified. The Jacksons first propagated the selection by chip budding in summer 2007, confirming that its characteristics remained stable. The patent was granted November 15, 2011, but that date does not establish its first commercial introduction. Distinguished by persistent red-purple foliage and unusually early pendulous branching, the cultivar was subsequently marketed as Dragon Tears through nursery distribution channels. A United States plant patent exists, while a cultivar-related federal trademark registration has not been independently verified.

Explore the sources behind this story

Cultivar information

Patent & trademark information

Patent & Royalty Status
US plant patent PP22,249 (cultivar 'JN4'), granted 2011-11-15; reported adjusted expiration 2029-10-20, subject to official USPTO verification.
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