---

---

With its deep maroon-purple leaves on twisted corkscrew branches, the Red Dragon Contorted Filbert is guaranteed to please with outstanding form, texture and color. The obovate, wavy leaves hold their color for most of the growing season before dropping in winter to reveal the twisted branches. In late winter clusters of bronze-orange catkins (flowers) emerge hanging in clusters from stem-tips just before the new leaves arrive. Cut stems are exceptionally unique and nice in dried floral arrangements. Red Dragon Contorted Filbert is a must have for the gardener that enjoys unique and interesting plants.

Please Note:  Depending on location, climate, sun exposure, and other factors, and as with many red-leaved Japanese maple cultivars, the mature leaves of the Red Dragon Contorted Filbert may turn from the purple-red they are throughout spring to a purple to red tinted green or deep green during the summer months. That said, new leaves that emerge during summer will usually be a purplish-red. At our nursery, to better control soil moisture in the pot we keep all contorted filberts in a semi-shaded location. When in more shade, the leaves of the Red Dragon Contorted Filbert may be more green during summer than if they were in sun. 

Growing 8 to 12 feet tall and 6 to 8 feet wide, the Red Dragon Contorted Filbert can be grown as a somewhat large shrub or lower branches can be removed to form a highly attractive small tree. It is ideal for use as a focal point specimen or in groupings in landscape borders and home foundation plantings and can also be grown in pots, planters and other containers for use on a patio, deck or around other outdoor living spaces. A fine addition to an Asian garden or red theme color gardens.

The Red Dragon Contorted Filbert prefers a moist but well drained slightly acid to slightly alkaline soil and full sun to part shade. When planting in heavy clay soil it's a good idea to amend the native soil at a 50/50 ratio with a sandy, bagged top soil to ensure good drainage. We suggest a minimum of 4 hours direct sunlight per day during spring, summer and fall.