‘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. More information on Cryptomeria japonica .
Curated pairwise relationships between this plant and others in the library — who feeds
whom, who competes, who confuses the pests. Green reads as a good pairing, red as one to avoid.
No curated interactions recorded for this species yet.
Also noted by NC State
Related species the NC State Plant Toolbox flags for this plant — look-alikes to tell
apart, and plants that play a similar role in a planting. Ones we carry in the library are linked.
Fills a similar nicheCedrus deodara 'Devinely Blue'Picea laxa 'Conica'Syringa pubescens subsp. pubescens
Full plant profile
Growing Conditions
Plant type
Shrub; Tree
Life cycle
Woody
USDA zones
5a, 5b, 6a, 6b, 7a, 7b, 8a, 8b, 9a, 9b
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
3 feet-6 feet; 6-feet-12 feet
NC region
Coastal; Mountains; Piedmont
Mature size
Height: 5 ft. 0 in. - 15 ft. 0 in. | Width: 4 ft. 0 in. - 8 ft. 0 in.
Growth rate
Rapid
Maintenance
Low
Canopy layer
2 - Understory (15-40 ft)
Form & Appearance
Habit / form
Erect; Pyramidal
Texture
Fine
Foliage
Needled Evergreen
Leaf color
Green
Leaf type
Needles
Leaf arrangement
Whorled
Leaf shape
Acicular
Leaf feel
Prickly
Leaf value
Showy
Leaf size
< 1 inch long, < 1 inch wide
Hairs present
No
Leaf detail
Bright green spiny needles emerge that run a deep green when they mature and red-bronze in the winter.
Fall color
Brown/Copper; Red/Burgundy
Flower detail
No flowers
Fruit color
Brown/Copper
Fruit size
< 1 inch long, < 1 inch wide
Fruit detail
Cones growing on Cryptomeria are eaten by songbirds and other wildlife.
Wildlife & Ecology
Native status
Non-native
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