Acer palmatum ‘Bloodgood’ – Bloodgood Japanese Maple

Botanical Name: Acer palmatum ‘Bloodgood’

Alternate Name: Bloodgood Maple

The Bloodgood Japanese Maple (Acer palmatum ‘Bloodgood’) is a popular landscaping choice for a small red/purple-leaved Japanese Maple tree or large shrub. This tree is grafted. The attractive foliage consists of 5-7 pointed lobes, and the color is a very deep-red, which deepens to purple later in the summer.

Bloodgood Japanese Maple then develops a beautiful crimson fall color. It is a vigorous, sturdy, and dependable tree, with an upright form and a rounded crown that spreads wider with age. The tree develops graceful, horizontal branching.

The foliage can burn in the sun in hot areas or with insufficient irrigation, so some afternoon shade is preferable. Foliage color develops a richer hue in the shade. In cooler areas, Acer palmatum ‘Bloodgood’ will flourish in full sun.

The Bloodgood Japanese Maple offers interest year-round. It develops beautiful, red-purple flowers in the spring. These are followed by eye-catching fruits, which are brilliant red-colored samaras (winged fruit) that look stunning against the tree’s gray bark and new purple twigs. After the flower and fruit display, the new reddish purple leaves unfurl and cover and develop a canopy.

Bloodgood Maple roots appreciate mulching to keep the roots cool and conserve moisture. These trees are low maintenance and require little pruning.