Acer palmatum 'Bloodgood' (Japanese Maple)

Acer palmatum 'Bloodgood' is a purple-leaved Japanese maple cultivar widely regarded as one of the best purple-leaved cultivars available, due to its hardiness, vigorous growth, and deep, bloody red-purple hues. Growing to 15 to 20 feet tall, 'Bloodgood' makes for an excellent focal point and specimen tree in any landscape, but especially those with lots of greenery. Although known for its burgundy red hues, 'Bloodgood' is perhaps most beautiful in the fall and winter, when its leaves turn a brighter shade of red before they begin to fall, revealing red-black bark that adds striking winter interest.

'Bloodgood' Japanese maple prefers slightly acidic, well-draining soil, and should be protected from strong winds. Although it is susceptible to leaf scorch from too much direct sun when immature, 'Bloodgood' is one of the hardiest cultivars for direct sun spaces, although it will still benefit from a seasonal mulch application to help insulate and trap moisture. As a bonus to its sun hardiness and brilliant colors, this cultivar's compact size can allow it to be carefully pruned and grown as a container plant or maintained in a variety of small garden spaces.