Deciduous And Flowering Trees
Bloodgood Japanese maple
Acer palmatum 'Bloodgood'
'Bloodgood' Japanese maple provides a substantial upright canopy with broad, reddish-purple leaves rather than finely divided laceleaf foliage. Autumn may bring crimson tones, although color varies with the plant and conditions. Typical mature dimensions are about 15–20 feet tall and wide, making it a useful specimen or focal point beside a generous walkway. Give the crown room to develop without repeated cutting. In Southwest Washington, sun to partial shade works best when matched to summer moisture and protection from excessive heat. Avoid waterlogged or high-pH soil, mulch the roots, and use light dormant-season pruning only when structural work is needed.
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At a glance
- Mature height
- Typically 15–20 ft
- Mature spread
- Typically 15–20 ft
- Light
- Sun to partial shade
- Hardiness
- USDA Zones 5–8
The right plant, the right place
Make room for something good.
Beside a patio or broad walkway, the upright, spreading crown can stand on its own. Give it enough room to develop without repeated cutting or crowding from other planting.
Where to plant
Allow roughly 15–20 feet for height and width. Choose sun or partial shade with protection from drying wind, and consider afternoon shade on sites exposed to strong summer heat.
Through the seasons
Deep reddish-purple foliage remains prominent through summer. Crimson autumn color is possible, but its intensity varies with the plant and conditions.
Southwest Washington gardens
Give it a good start.
This maple can grow well in Northwest gardens with suitable drainage and summer moisture. Hot paving edges and drying winds still cause leaf damage, so assess the individual site.
Soil, drainage & water
Use acidic to slightly acidic, organic soil with reliable drainage. Water steadily during dry periods and avoid leaving roots in saturated ground.
A little care goes a long way
Growing well, season after season.
Mulch the root area and keep pruning light. Necessary shaping can be done during dormancy, while regular watering through dry spells helps maintain the foliage.
Know what to look for
Common growing concerns.
Symptoms can have more than one cause. These notes are a starting point for observing your plant and improving its growing conditions.
Leaf scorch
Leaf margins may brown during drought, heat, or drying wind.
Help your plant thrive
Check root moisture during extended dry weather. Maintain watering and reduce exposure to reflected heat where possible.
Aphids or scale
Sticky deposits can accompany sap-feeding insects on leaves and twigs. Aphids may also distort tender growth.
Help your plant thrive
Examine affected shoots and identify any insect before treating. Rinse small aphid colonies off accessible growth and preserve beneficial insects.
A little more inspiration
Keep exploring.
Acer palmatum 'Shishigashira', 1 - geograph.org.uk - 6785425.jpg
CC BY-SA 2.0 · Web-optimized
Lion's head Japanese maple
Acer palmatum 'Shishigashira'
Crinkled green foliage and an upright, sculptural outline distinguish this slow-growing Japanese maple, with gold, orange, and red autumn color in a sheltered garden.
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Japanese Maple
Acer palmatum
A versatile small tree with hand-shaped leaves, varied branching, and colorful autumn foliage; choose each species-grown Japanese maple for its individual form and character.
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Garnet Japanese maple
Acer palmatum 'Garnet'
Finely cut red foliage drapes over a broad, mounded framework, making 'Garnet' a colorful specimen for sheltered patios, garden edges, and generously sized beds.
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