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 15-20' tall with a canopy about as wide, 'Bloodgood' makes for an excellent focal point and specimen tree in any landscape, but especially those with lots of greenery in need of some contrast. Although well known for its burgundy red hues in the spring and summer, Acer palmatum 'Bloodgood' is perhaps most beautiful in the fall and winter, when its leaves turn a brighter shade of scarlet 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, as its vigorous growth results in fragile branches. Although, like most Japanese maples, this cultivar is susceptible to leaf scorch from too much intense sunlight, 'Bloodgood' is one of the hardiest cultivars for full sun exposure, but it will still benefit from a seasonal mulch application to help insulate and trap moisture for the roots. 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.