Acer Palmatum 'Bloodgood' 120cm Pot 450cm Height Outdoor Tree

Acer palmatum ‘Bloodgood’ is one of the most popular and reliable red-leaved Japanese maples, admired for its striking deep purple-red foliage, elegant shape, and excellent year-round interest. This cultivar is renowned for holding its colour well throughout the growing season, unlike many others that fade to green.

🌿 Key Features:

• Foliage: Broad, five- to seven-lobed palmate leaves emerge deep crimson in spring, mature to a rich purple-red through summer, and finally blaze to a bright scarlet in autumn. This consistent colour is one of ‘Bloodgood’s’ strongest assets.

• Habit: A graceful, upright small tree, growing to around 4–6 metres high with a similar spread over many years, developing a rounded crown.

• Bark: Smooth grey bark with subtle red undertones, adding gentle winter interest.

Its striking foliage makes ‘Bloodgood’ an outstanding choice as a specimen tree in lawns, woodland edges, or as part of a mixed border. It also works well in larger pots on patios for adding height and drama.

---

🌱 Detailed Care Guide for Acer palmatum ‘Bloodgood’

📍 Position & Light

• Prefers partial shade or dappled sunlight, although ‘Bloodgood’ is more sun-tolerant than many other red Japanese maples.

• Morning sun with protection from hot afternoon sun is ideal to minimise leaf scorch.

• Needs a sheltered spot, protected from strong winds that can shred the leaves.

🌬️ Shelter

• Avoid planting in exposed, windy positions. Wind dries and damages the delicate leaf margins, especially in new growth.

💧 Watering

• Likes soil to be consistently moist but well-drained.

• Water well during dry spells, especially when newly planted or grown in pots.

• Apply a mulch of bark or compost in spring to keep roots cool and retain moisture.

🪴 Soil

• Prefers slightly acidic to neutral, fertile, humus-rich soil.

• Avoid very alkaline or heavy clay. If needed, improve soil with organic matter or plant in raised beds.

• For pots, use ericaceous compost with added grit for drainage.

🍽️ Feeding

• Feed lightly in spring with a balanced slow-release fertiliser or an acer-specific feed.

• Avoid high-nitrogen fertilisers, which encourage soft growth more susceptible to wind or frost.

✂️ Pruning & Maintenance

• Minimal pruning required.

• Remove any dead, damaged or crossing branches in late autumn or winter while the tree is dormant.

• Avoid heavy cutting back, which disrupts the natural shape.

🪲 Pests & Problems

• Generally very healthy and trouble-free.

• May occasionally see aphids on tender new growth.

• Leaf scorch (browning at the edges) usually results from drought, excessive sun or wind exposure rather than disease.

🚰 Container Growing

• Grows well in large pots, ideal for patios or small gardens.

• Use ericaceous compost with grit, ensure good drainage with pot feet, and water consistently.

• In harsh winters, wrap pots or move to a sheltered spot to protect the roots.