The most beloved of all Japanese Maples for its 3 seasons of red color and its ability to thrive even in hot, humid climates, 'Bloodgood' is truly a tree to fall in love with. If the "fingered" leaves of purple-red (changing to bright scarlet in fall!) don't wow you, the dense, comfortably rounded habit will. Or perhaps the crimson berries, standing out after the leaves drop in autumn and continuing into winter, will win your heart. Create a place of honor for this fine beauty, and enjoy it for generations to come!
The show begins in spring when the new leaves unfurl a bold purplish-red. No matter how hot your climate gets, the foliage keeps this color right through summer, then turns neon-bright, blazing scarlet in fall. Small berries arise along with the fall foliage, attracting birds to your garden.
An excellent tree for the south because of its greater tolerance of heat and humidity, 'Bloodgood' begins as a rounded little tree, then slowly changes to a more upright shape as it matures. By Japanese Maple standards it grows fairly quickly when young — a foot or more per year — but then slows its rate over time, not reaching its mature height for about 25 years.
Give it full sunshine in the north, partial shade farther south, and prepare to be dazzled by its rich color display! Zones 5-8.
