Bloodgood Japanese Maple
Acer palmatum 'Bloodgood'
The gold standard among red Japanese maples, 'Bloodgood' maintains its deep burgundy-red foliage throughout the growing season without fading. This reliable cultivar offers stunning fall color that transitions to brilliant crimson, making it the most sought-after ornamental tree for adding dramatic color to landscapes.
Sun
Partial shade to full sun
Zones
5–8
USDA hardiness
Height
15-25 feet
Planting Timeline
Showing dates for Bloodgood Japanese Maple in USDA Zone 7
All Zone 7 ornamental-tree →Zone Map
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Bloodgood Japanese Maple · Zones 5–8
Growing Details
Zone-by-Zone Planting Calendar
Complete Growing Guide
Light: #deciduous#bronze#shrub#purple leaves#slow growing#samaras#red leaves#bonsai#yellow leaves#tsc#fall interest#understory tree#dappled shade#deer resistant#nighttime garden#copper leaves#children's garden#red fruits#playground plant#self-seeding#pollinator plant#larval host plant#deciduous tree#bird friendly#tsc-t#imperial moth#mccarthy memorial garden#landscape plant sleuths course#wildlife friendly#th-sight#woodland#cpp#HS111#illustration#HS304#fpp. Soil: High Organic Matter. Drainage: Good Drainage, Moist. Water: 'Atropurpureum', 'Ben Komachii', 'Bloodgood', 'Burgundy Lace', 'Crimson Queen', 'Garnet', 'Gwens Rose Delight', 'Higasayama', 'Jordan', 'Kagiri Nishiki', 'Kiyohime', 'Koto no ito', 'Mikawa yatsubusa', 'Mizuho Beni', 'Moonfire', 'Novum', 'Orange Dream', 'Orangeola', 'Osakazuki', 'Oto hime', 'Redleaf', 'Ryusen', 'Sango-Kaku', 'Seiryu', 'Shaina', 'Sharp’s Pygmy', 'Sherwood Flame', subsp. matsumurae, 'Trompenburg', 'Twombly Red Sentinel', 'Waterfall', 'Yuri Hime'. Height: 15 ft. 0 in. - 25 ft. 0 in.. Spread: 10 ft. 0 in. - 25 ft. 0 in.. Growth rate: Slow. Maintenance: High. Propagation: Grafting.
Harvesting
A schizocarp of two samaras, wings incurved forming an arch, becoming reddish.
Color: Brown/Copper, Red/Burgundy. Type: Samara, Schizocarp.
Harvest time: Fall
Bloom time: Spring
History & Origin
Origin: Asia: Japan, China, Korea, eastern Mongolia, southeastern Russia
Advantages
- +Disease resistance: Deer, Drought
- +Attracts: This tree is mildly resistant to damage by deer.
- +Wildlife value: Members of the genus Acer support Imperial Moth (Eacles imperialis) larvae which have one brood per season and appear from April-October in the south. Adult Imperial Moths do not feed. Small song birds are attracted to this plant.
Considerations
- -High maintenance
Companion Plants
Plant Together
Hosta
Thrives in partial shade beneath maple canopy, complementary foliage textures
Astilbe
Enjoys similar moisture conditions and partial shade, adds spring color
Ferns
Natural woodland companions that thrive in filtered light and acidic soil
Coral Bells
Shade tolerant perennial with colorful foliage that echoes maple's red tones
Azalea
Shares preference for acidic, well-draining soil and partial shade
Caladium
Colorful shade-loving annual that complements maple's ornamental qualities
Japanese Painted Fern
Asian garden companion with silvery foliage that contrasts beautifully
Impatiens
Shade-tolerant annual that provides continuous color under maple canopy
Keep Apart
Black Walnut
Produces juglone toxin that can damage maple roots and overall health
Large Conifers
Compete for water and nutrients, can create too much shade and acidify soil
Eucalyptus
Allelopathic properties inhibit growth of nearby plants including maples
Pests & Disease Resistance
Resistance
Good resistance to common maple diseases when properly sited
Common Pests
Aphids, scale insects, Japanese beetles
Diseases
Verticillium wilt, anthracnose, leaf scorch in hot climates