How to Grow Acer Palmatum Bloodgood - Plant Care & Tips

By NorwichGardener Team   /   2024

Acer palmatum bloodgood is a beautiful plant that is perfect for adding a splash of color to your garden. This plant is native to Japan and is part of the maple family. The bloodgood plant gets its name from the deep red color of its leaves. The leaves of this plant are also very deeply lobed, which gives them a unique appearance. The red color of the leaves is most intense in the fall, but the plant also produces small red flowers in the spring.

How to Grow Acer Palmatum Bloodgood - Plant Care & Tips

Also known as

  • Japanese Maple
  • Bloodgood Japanese Maple
  • Red Maple
  • Bloodgood Maple
  • Japanese Bloodgood Maple

Things to Know

  • Acer palmatum 'Bloodgood' is a deciduous tree that is native to Japan.
  • It typically grows to 15-20 feet tall and wide.
  • The leaves are deeply lobed and are a purplish-red in the spring, changing to a dark green in the summer.
  • The fall color is a beautiful crimson.
  • It prefers to grow in full sun to partial shade and in moist, well-drained soils.
  • It is somewhat tolerant of urban pollution.
  • It is not tolerant of wet soils.
  • It is susceptible to a number of diseases and pests, including aphids, scale, and Japanese beetles.
  • It is best to prune it in the late winter or early spring.
  • It is a popular tree for landscaping and is often used as a street tree or in public parks.

Related plant:
Acer Shrub

Planting Process

  1. For acer palmatum bloodgood, first step is to find a Maple tree that is the right species.
  2. Second step is to get a nice big pot for the tree. Make sure it has good drainage.
  3. Place the tree in the pot and fill it with a good quality potting mix.
  4. Water the tree well and then place it in a sunny spot.
  5. Fertilize the tree every two weeks during the growing season with a half-strength all purpose fertilizer.
  6. In autumn, reduce watering and fertilizer.
  7. Allow the tree to go dormant in winter.
  8. In spring, as the weather warms, increase watering and fertilizer.
  9. Once the tree has leafed out, you can begin to shape it.
  10. Enjoy your beautiful acer palmatum bloodgood!

Related plant:
Acer Ginnala

Soil Requirement

About soil condition, Acer palmatum Bloodgood can be described as pH-neutral and well-drained. It is not drought tolerant, but it does not like to sit in wet conditions either. This tree prefers full sun to partial shade and does best in humus-rich soil.

About light

Like the other Japanese maples, Acer palmatum Bloodgood can reach a height of 15 feet with a spread of 12 feet. It has a slow to medium growth rate, and its leaves are deeply lobed and palmate. Bloodgood is a deciduous tree, meaning it will lose its leaves in winter. In spring, small and fragrant flowers appear, followed by brilliant red autumn foliage. This tree does best in full sun to partial shade, meaning it needs at least four hours of direct sunlight each day to thrive. It is adaptable to a range of soil types, as long as the soil is well-drained.

Good Temperature

The temperature condition that is most ideal for the Acer Palmatum Bloodgood is a temperature that is cool and moist. This tree does not tolerate extreme heat or cold well. The best way to ensure that your tree is getting the proper temperature is to plant it in an area that receives full sun in the morning and afternoon, but is in shade during the hottest hours of the day. If you live in an area with cool summers, you can also plant the tree in partial shade.

Humidity Aspect

Ideal humidity condition for this plant is around 50%. If the humidity is too low, the leaves may start to turn brown and crispy. If the humidity is too high, the leaves may start to turn yellow and drop off.

Fertilizer Requirement

About fertilizer, this type of plant responds best to organic fertilizers such as compost or bloodmeal. Root development is best in spring or summer when the soil is moist. Be sure not to let the roots dry out.

Light requirement

Pruning is an important part of keeping your Acer palmatum Bloodgood in good shape. If you prune it correctly, you'll be rewarded with a beautiful, healthy plant that will thrive for years to come. Pruning should be done in early spring, before new growth begins. When pruning, always use clean, sharp pruners. Cut away any dead or damaged branches, as well as any branches that are crossing or rubbing against each other. You can also thin out the plant by removing some of the branches, but be sure not to remove more than one-third of the plant's total branches. Acer palmatum Bloodgood is a beautiful plant that is well worth the effort of proper pruning. By taking the time to prune your plant correctly, you'll be rewarded with a healthy, vigorous plant that will thrive for years to come.

The Propagation

Propagation is best done in early spring before the plant breaks dormancy. Cuttings should be taken from young, non-flowering shoots that are about 6-8 inches long. The cuttings should be taken from the upper portion of the plant where the shoots are still soft. Cuttings should be taken just below a node and the leaves should be removed from the bottom half of the cutting. The cuttings can be placed in a rooting hormone and then planted in a well-draining potting mix. The pot should be kept moist and in a location with bright, indirect light. Once the cuttings have rooted, they can be transplanted into their own pots.

Growth Rate

Usually, the plant growth rate is determined by the growing conditions. The average growth rate for this plant is about 10 to 12 inches a year. Acer palmatum bloodgood generally does not like to be transplanted, so it is best to plant it in its permanent location. This plant prefers full sun to partial shade, and moist, well-drained soil. It is somewhat drought tolerant once established.

Common Problems

Common problems for this kind of plant are powdery mildew, leaf spot, and scab. Powdery mildew is a white or gray powdery growth on the surface of leaves. Leaf spot is brown or black spots on the leaves. Scab is a raised, crusty lesion on the leaves.

Tips on Growing

  • Make sure to plant your Acer palmatum Bloodgood in a location that provides full sun to partial shade.
  • The ideal soil type for your plant is rich, moist, and well-drained.
  • Be sure to water your plant regularly, especially during hot, dry periods.
  • Fertilize your Acer palmatum Bloodgood once a year in the spring using a balanced fertilizer.
  • To encourage bushier growth, prune your plant in the late winter or early spring.
  • Keep an eye out for pests and diseases, and treat accordingly if necessary.
  • If you live in an area with cold winters, provide your plant with a layer of mulch in the fall to protect the roots.
  • You can propagate Acer palmatum Bloodgood by rooting stem cuttings taken from the plant in the spring or summer.
  • This plant is generally tolerant of urban pollution,

You May Like

  • Maple
  • Japanese Maple
  • Sugar Maple
  • Norway Maple
  • Silver Maple
  • Red Maple
  • Ash
  • Birch
  • Alder
  • Hornbeam

Source:
Acer palmatum ‘Bloodgood’ - hort.ifas.ufl.edu
Acer palmatum - UDBG
Acer palmatum - Japanese Maple - Ohio State University

Richelle Author Photo
Reviewed & Published by Richelle
Submitted by our contributor
Shrubs Category