Maple
Bloodgood
Acer palmatum
The quintessential upright red Japanese Maple and the baseline standard by which all other purple-leafed cultivars are judged. 'Bloodgood' forms a handsome, round-headed, multi-stemmed small tree with deeply lobed, large palmate leaves. In spring, the foliage emerges an intense, dark purple-red, which holds its deep saturation remarkably well into the late summer months compared to other atropurpureum forms. In autumn, the canopy transitions to a bright, uniform crimson red, accented by prominent, decorative red samaras (winged seeds).
Growing Specifications
- Height
- 15-20 feet
- Spread
- 15-20 feet
- Watering
- Regular, deep root irrigation
- Light
- Morning sun, afternoon shade
- Heat Tolerance
- Good once fully established
- Growth Rate
- Moderate (Vase-shaped when young, broadening with maturity)
- Soil Requirement
- Moist, rich, well-draining, slightly acidic
North Texas Micro-climate Notes
Expert Curated Selection. While 'Bloodgood' has a reputation for being tough, its large leaf surface area will scorch if subjected to the full brunt of dry 100°F+ winds. In North Texas, plant it where it receives filtered shade starting around 1 PM. It thrives under a thick, 3-inch layer of organic mulch to keep its root zone cool.
History & Lineage
- INTRODUCED BY
- Bloodgood Nurseries
- HISTORY
- Originating from an outstanding seedling selection made in the late 19th century or early 20th century at the historic Bloodgood Nurseries in Flushing, Long Island, New York. It was widely distributed across the United States and Europe in the mid-1900s, quickly establishing itself as a global favorite and earning the prestigious Royal Horticultural Society (RHS) Award of Garden Merit.
Care Instructions
Demands impeccable drainage; avoid low spots or heavy, unamended clay soils. Provide slow, deep-soaking water at the root base during extended summer droughts. Keep mulch pulled a few inches away from the main trunk flares to ensure healthy bark respiration.
Landscape Usage
Perfect as a major focal point in a lawn or garden bed, an elegant canopy tree near a stone patio, or a bold color anchor within a modern Japandi landscape design.
Fun Fact
Beyond its legendary foliage, 'Bloodgood' is highly valued for its striking near-black winter bark profile, which creates a sharp architectural contrast against snow or light-colored garden hardscaping.
Awards
Royal Horticultural Society (RHS) Award of Garden Merit
