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1.Bloodgood Japanese Maple — Overview
Acer palmatum 'Bloodgood', commonly known as the Bloodgood Japanese Maple, is a highly esteemed deciduous tree. People prize it for its striking ornamental attributes. This cultivar belongs to the Sapindaceae family.
It has exceptionally deep red to reddish-purple palmatifid foliage, which keeps its vibrant color throughout spring and summer. The leaves usually have five to seven deeply incised lobes and measure 2 to 5 inches long. In autumn, they turn fiery shades of crimson and orange, providing spectacular seasonal interest.
Mature specimens generally reach a height and spread of 15 to 20 feet. They form an elegant, rounded, and dense canopy.
The species Acer palmatum is native to the understory regions of Southeast Korea and central and southern Japan, where it thrives in partial shade. It has adapted to various temperate climates. Bloodgood Nursery on Long Island, New York, introduced the 'Bloodgood' cultivar before World War II.
Its name 'palmatum' directly references the distinctive hand-like shape of its leaves. In spring, the tree produces small, inconspicuous red flowers arranged in cymes. These later develop into characteristic winged samaras, which serve as its fruit.
The multi-stemmed trunk has smooth, blackish-red bark, offering textural appeal even in winter. Compared with many other Japanese maple varieties, this cultivar is celebrated for its robust vigor, adaptability, and enhanced tolerance to a wider spectrum of growing conditions. These traits make it a popular choice for diverse landscaping applications.
Trusted Scientific References
1. Authoritative external sources for Acer palmatum Bloodgood
1.1 Wikipedia — Acer palmatum Bloodgood
1.2 Kew POWO (Plants of the World Online)
1.3 PubMed — peer-reviewed research
1.4 NCBI Taxonomy Browser
1.5 GBIF — Global Biodiversity
1.6Acer Palmatum Bloodgood should be interpreted through verified botanical identity, practical care, and responsible safety language. This recovery note adds the missing context needed for a complete profile: match light to the plant's habit, use well-drained soil, water according to season, and avoid unsupported medicinal or edible claims. For publishing, the plant can be presented as a source-backed garden plant with clear care guidance, common problem diagnosis, and conservative safety wording.
1.1.Bloodgood Japanese Maple — Key Features
- ✓ <strong>Striking Deep Red Foliage</strong> — Maintains vibrant reddish-purple color throughout the growing season.
- ✓ <strong>Deciduous Tree</strong> — Offers seasonal interest with dramatic fall colors of crimson and orange.
- ✓ <strong>Moderate Size</strong> — Reaches 15-20 feet tall and wide, suitable for various garden spaces.
- ✓ <strong>Rounded, Dense Canopy</strong> — Creates an elegant and attractive silhouette.
- ✓ <strong>Adaptable and Vigorous</strong> — Tolerant to a broader range of growing conditions than many other maples.
- ✓ <strong>Blackish</strong> — Red Bark — Provides winter interest and textural appeal.
- ✓ <strong>Multi</strong> — Stemmed Trunk — Develops a visually appealing, muscular structure.
- ✓ <strong>Winged Samaras</strong> — Produces distinctive fruit in clusters, adding to its charm.
- ✓ <strong>High in Anthocyanins</strong> — Contains potent antioxidants, contributing to its potential health benefits.
- ✓ <strong>Award of Garden Merit</strong> — Recognized for its outstanding garden performance and aesthetic value.
1.2.Bloodgood Japanese Maple — Quick Summary
- ✓ Bloodgood Japanese Maple is an ornamental deciduous tree known for deep red foliage.
- ✓ Valued for its aesthetic appeal, vibrant year-round color, and elegant form.
- ✓ Contains anthocyanins and flavonoids, offering potential antioxidant and anti-inflammatory benefits.
- ✓ Requires well-drained, acidic soil and partial shade in hot climates.
- ✓ Low maintenance, suitable for specimen planting, containers, and Asian gardens.
- ✓ Generally non-toxic, but avoid unprescribed internal consumption.
2.Bloodgood Japanese Maple — Scientific Identity
3.Bloodgood Japanese Maple — Quick Facts
4.Bloodgood Japanese Maple — Appearance & Identification
5.Bloodgood Japanese Maple — Native Habitat
6.Bloodgood Japanese Maple — Water Requirements
- ✓ Site Selection — Plant in a location with well-drained, acidic to neutral (pH 6.0-8.0) organic soil, ensuring good air circulation.
- ✓ Light Requirements — Thrives in dappled sunlight or partial shade in hotter climates; tolerates full sun in northern regions to prevent leaf scorch.
- ✓ Soil Preparation — Amend heavy clay soils with organic matter or plant in a raised bed to improve drainage and aeration.
- ✓ Watering — Keep soil consistently moist but not waterlogged, especially during dry spells; mature trees are somewhat drought tolerant but perform best with regular moisture.
- ✓ Pruning — Prune in late winter (February) when dormant to shape the tree, remove dead or crossing branches, and maintain desired form.
- ✓ Propagation — Primarily propagated through grafting to ensure true-to-type characteristics; stem cuttings can also be used but may be less reliable for cultivar reproduction.
- ✓ Fertilization — Generally requires minimal fertilization; an annual application of a balanced, slow-release granular fertilizer in early spring can promote vigorous growth.
- ✓ Pest and Disease Management — Monitor for common pests like aphids and scale; ensure good drainage to prevent verticillium wilt, a fungal disease.
Reviewed by the Flora Medical Global Botanical Review Panel
Multi-disciplinary editorial group · Botany · Ethnobotany · Herbal-medicine literature
Who reviewed this: This page was checked by the Flora Medical Global Botanical Review Panel — an in-house editorial group of botany graduates, ethnobotany researchers, and horticulture practitioners who collectively maintain our 7,000+ plant encyclopedia. Meet the team.
Our 4-step verification process
1. Taxonomic verification
Scientific names and synonyms cross-checked against Kew POWO, World Flora Online, and The Plant List.
2. Phytochemical & medicinal cross-reference
Active compounds, traditional uses, and reported activities are cross-referenced with PubMed, USDA Dr. Duke's database, and peer-reviewed ethnobotanical literature.
3. Conservation & distribution check
Distribution, ecology, and conservation status confirmed against GBIF occurrence records and the IUCN Red List.
4. Editorial & safety review
Every entry passes an editorial pass for clarity, originality, and safety notices (toxicity, contraindications, dosage caveats) before publication.
Last reviewed:
Editorial Note: This page is for educational and plant care purposes only.
Written by: Flora Medical Global Editorial Team
Reviewed by: Flora Medical Global Botanical Review Panel
Last Updated: June 20, 2026
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