Bloodgood Japanese Maple (Acer Palmatum Bloodgood)

Bloodgood Japanese Maple gives your garden deep red foliage, elegant structure, and four-season visual interest in a compact ornamental tree that stays manageable as it matures.

Transform Your Garden with Stunning Year-Round Red Foliage

The Bloodgood Japanese Maple (Acer palmatum ‘Bloodgood’) is a highly sought-after deciduous ornamental tree prized for its striking, deep purple-red spring foliage and reliable garden performance. From early spring leaf emergence through brilliant fall color, this japanese maple tree brings amazing color to the yard without the heavy maintenance demands of many ornamental trees, and you can conveniently order Bloodgood Japanese Maple online from Yardwork.

Its attractive foliage, rounded upright canopy, interesting trunk, and graceful branches make it a natural focal point for the landscape. In spring, the Bloodgood Japanese Maple showcases delicate purple flowers, adding an extra layer of charm before red samaras appear later in the season, and it contrasts beautifully with variegated options like the Butterfly Japanese Maple with cream and pink foliage. Even in winter, after the tree has shed its leaves, the striking silver bark and beautiful branch structure continue to add form and texture to the garden.

Why You’ll Love It

• Deep Burgundy to Bright Red Leaves – The Bloodgood Japanese Maple is renowned for its striking red foliage, which provides a vibrant focal point in any landscape throughout the seasons, from deep spring color to rich burgundy summer foliage and brilliant autumn fall color.

• Low Maintenance Requirements – This small tree is relatively resistant to diseases and needs only minimal pruning once established, though dead or damaged branches should be removed in late winter or early spring to encourage new growth.

• Perfect Scale for Any Garden – The Bloodgood features a classic broad, upright habit reaching 15–20 feet at maturity, making it a better choice for a standalone lawn tree, patio tree, or focal point without overwhelming most garden spaces, especially when compared with larger mature trees for instant landscape impact.

• Hardy and Reliable – It thrives in USDA Hardiness Zones 5-8, featuring a slow to moderate growth rate and reaching a mature height and spread of roughly 15 to 20 feet under ideal conditions, similar in hardiness to other standout cultivars such as Osakazuki Japanese Maple with crimson fall color.

• Immediate Garden Impact – With its unique structure and elegant silhouette, the Bloodgood Japanese Maple makes an ideal specimen tree, drawing attention and admiration in any garden setting.

What Makes It Different

Most red japanese maple varieties can fade toward green in hot weather, especially when planted in full sun without enough soil moisture. Bloodgood Japanese Maple is selected for stronger color retention than many red-leaf maples, giving you a more dependable display from spring through summer and into fall, and pairs beautifully with other red selections like Emperor One Japanese Maple trees.

Bloodgood Japanese Maple is superior because:

• Color Retention Technology – The selected genetics of Acer palmatum Bloodgood help maintain red foliage even in full sun and summer heat, though in hotter climates, some shade during the hottest part of the day can help prevent leaf scorch.

• Non-Invasive Root System – Bloodgood roots are not aggressive, making this maple a practical choice near a house, patio, driveway, or utility area when planted with proper spacing and a healthy root zone.

• Upright Growth Habit – The Bloodgood develops a beautiful, rounded upright canopy with interesting bark, making it an excellent focal point or patio tree with a lovely natural shape and minimal trim requirements.

How To Have Success In Your Garden

1. Plant in Optimal Location
   Choose a suitable location with morning sun and afternoon shade, especially in California gardens or areas with hot weather and strong winds. Bloodgood Japanese Maples thrive in full sun to partial shade, but part shade helps avoid hot afternoon exposure and reduces the risk of leaf scorch.

2. Establish Root System
   Dig a wide hole, set the root ball slightly above the surrounding ground level, and backfill with well drained soil. Bloodgood Japanese Maples prefer well-draining soil that is slightly acidic to neutral, with a pH range of 5.0 to 7.0, to prevent root rot and maintain healthy growth.

3. Maintain Consistent Moisture
   Bloodgood Japanese Maple water needs include deep and regular watering during the first couple of years after planting. These trees require consistently moist soil to thrive, especially during hot, dry periods, and mulching around the base with wood chips helps retain soil moisture and keep the root zone cool.

4. Enjoy Seasonal Beauty
   Watch as leaves emerge deep purple-red in early spring, mature into burgundy red foliage through the growing season, and intensify into brilliant scarlet fall color. In mid spring, delicate purple flowers add charm, followed by red samaras and a refined winter silhouette after the foliage drops; if you love fall color, you might also consider Rocky Mountain Glow Maple for bold crimson and orange foliage.

Product Details

• Scientific Name: Acer palmatum ‘Bloodgood’

• Plant Type: Deciduous tree / ornamental japanese maple

• Mature Size: 15-20 feet tall, 15-20 feet wide

• Hardiness Zones: USDA Zones 5-8

• Growth Rate: Slow to moderate, typically 1-2 feet per year

• Light Requirements: Full sun to partial shade; afternoon shade recommended in hot climates

• Soil Needs: Well drained soil, consistently moist but not waterlogged, slightly acidic to neutral pH of 5.0 to 7.0

• Water Needs: Deep and regular watering for the first couple of years; somewhat drought-tolerant once established but needs supplemental watering during hot and dry spells

• Fertilizer: Apply a slow release fertilizer in early spring to provide essential nutrients and support healthy growth and vibrant foliage

• Pruning: Minimal pruning required; remove dead, crossing, or damaged branches in late winter or early spring

• Seasonal Interest: Purple-red spring leaves, delicate purple flowers, red samaras, brilliant fall color, silver bark, and winter branch structure

• Pests to Watch: Common pests that can affect Bloodgood Japanese Maples include aphids, scale, borers, and root weevils, as well as mites

• Pest Treatment: To manage pests like aphids and scale, treatments such as horticultural oil, neem oil, or insecticidal soap can be used, while severe infestations may require pesticides like carbaryl

• Disease Notes: Bloodgood Japanese Maples are relatively resistant to diseases, but they can suffer from root rot and Verticillium wilt if grown in wet, cold soil

• Available Sizes & Pricing: Available sizes and current pricing vary by Yardwork inventory; check the product options for current availability and delivery details, or compare with other shade and accent trees like October Glory Maple and more

Who It’s For

Ideal for:

• California homeowners looking to add year-round color, structure, and a refined focal point to their landscape, whether through a Japanese maple or an evergreen option like the Japanese Blueberry Tree for hedges and screens

• Gardeners who want a low-maintenance japanese maple tree with attractive foliage and dependable seasonal color, or who enjoy combining it with flowering accents such as the Red Crape Myrtle Tree with vibrant summer blooms

• Landscape designers seeking a reliable red foliage specimen tree for client gardens, patios, courtyards, and lawn settings

• Homeowners who want a premium ornamental tree that can improve curb appeal and create a more finished yard

• Anyone who wants a dramatic garden transformation without choosing a tree that becomes too large for the space

If you want a small tree with deep red foliage, elegant branches, lovely fall color, and a balanced scale for the average garden, Bloodgood Japanese Maple is a strong choice.

Frequently Asked Questions

How fast does Bloodgood Japanese Maple grow?
Bloodgood Japanese Maple has a moderate growth rate of about 1-2 feet per year in ideal conditions. The tree matures slowly, typically reaching a mature height and spread of roughly 15 to 20 feet over 15-20 years.

Will the red color last all season?
Yes, Bloodgood is known for holding deep red to burgundy foliage from spring through fall better than many other red japanese maple varieties. In extreme hot weather, full sun, dry soil, or strong winds may cause leaf scorch or some fading, so steady soil moisture and partial shade are recommended in hotter climates.

Can I plant it near my house?
Yes, Bloodgood Japanese Maple has a non-invasive root system and can be planted near a house, patio, or walkway when given proper spacing for its mature canopy. Allow room for the tree to reach 15-20 feet tall and wide.

How much water does it need?
Regular watering is crucial for Bloodgood Japanese Maples, especially during dry spells, to keep the soil consistently moist but not waterlogged, which can lead to root rot. Once established, Bloodgood is somewhat drought-tolerant but still benefits from supplemental watering during hot and dry spells.

Does it need fertilizer?
A slow-release fertilizer should be applied in early spring to provide essential nutrients for Bloodgood Japanese Maples, supporting healthy growth and vibrant foliage. Avoid heavy fertilizing late in the growing season.

What pests or diseases should I watch for?
Common pests include aphids, scale, borers, root weevils, and mites. Bloodgood Japanese Maples are relatively resistant to diseases, but wet, cold soil can increase the risk of root rot and Verticillium wilt.

What if it doesn’t thrive in my garden?
Yardwork supports your planting with expert guidance, delivery help, and consultation services. Ask about Yardwork’s plant guarantee, soil testing, and planting advice so your Bloodgood Japanese Maple is placed in the right location from the start, or explore their broader selection of privacy trees and nursery services near you.

Ready to Transform Your Garden?

Stop settling for flat green landscaping or ornamental trees that fail to deliver reliable color. Choose Bloodgood Japanese Maple and experience deep red foliage, elegant shape, brilliant autumn color, and year-round structure in one standout tree.