Acer palmatum ‘Bloodgood’ (Japanese Maple)

Regarded as one of the best purple-leaved Japanese Maples, award-winning Acer palmatum ‘Bloodgood’ is a large deciduous shrub or small rounded tree of great beauty in all seasons. In spring, it produces small purple flowers, which give way to red fruits. While attractive close up, the flowers are not particularly showy from a distance. The delicate spring foliage of five or seven pointed, lobed, wine-red to burgundy leaves holds its color in summer and turns vibrant crimson-red in fall before shedding to the ground. As the leaves fall, they expose the blackish-red bark, adding interest to the winter landscape. Vigorous, this upright maple tree stands out in the landscape and is suitable as a focal point or as the perfect foil for a mass of green in the landscape.

• Recipient of the prestigious Award of Garden Merit of the Royal Horticultural Society for its outstanding qualities
• Grows up to 15-20 ft. tall and wide (4.5-6 m).
• A full sun or part shade lover, this plant is easily grown in moist, organically rich, slightly acidic, well-drained soils. Mulch helps retain soil moisture and keep roots cool. Best leaf color in partial shade, although full sun can be tolerated. A lack of soil moisture or excessive exposure can cause leaf scorch.
• Perfect as a specimen plant in cottage gardens, city gardens, or Japanese gardens and containers.
• Low maintenance, this plant needs little pruning. If pruning is necessary, prune during the dormant season and avoid pruning in spring when the sap is running. Fertilize in spring before the leaves emerge.
• It may be affected by horse chestnut scale, aphids, and verticillium wilt.
• Propagate by grafting or softwood cuttings.
• Acer palmatum is native to Japan, Korea, China, eastern Mongolia, and southeast Russia.