Acer palmatum Bloodgood - Japanese Maple

The Acer palmatum Bloodgood is a remarkably colourful variety of Japanese Maple from spring to autumn.  Its lobed foliage changes colour throughout the seasons, without losing intensity. Starting from bright red in spring to purple in summer, it transitions to a range of red and brown shades in autumn before falling. This dazzling small tree is also an elegant plant, resistant to diseases and vigorous under the right conditions. Plant it in partial shade in a heather soil bed or in a large pot, keeping the soil moist. It will become the centrepiece of a small garden or the focal point of a terrace.

Originally from eastern China, Korea, and Japan, Acer palmatum is the origin of a multitude of horticultural varieties that compete in beauty. Japanese Maple, like all maples, belongs to the Aceraceae family. It is relatively hardy but only tolerates light, limestone-free soils. The 'Bloodgood' cultivar, which grows fairly quickly, develops a slightly broad and flat habit over time and reaches about 2 m (6 to 7 ft) in all directions. This small tree has a reddish-brown bark and develops beautiful deciduous leaves, with palmately lobed shapes. The foliage has a glossy texture which constantly changes colour, in various shades of red, without any trace of green. The leaves are opposite, 5 to 10cm (3.9 in) long, divided into 5 to 7 elongated and pointed lobes. The discreet flowering occurs in May-June. The flowers, grouped in small clusters, sometimes produce fruits with curved wings, called samaras, 3 cm (1.2 in) long.

Acer palmatum Bloodgood thrives in preferably acidic, moist, fertile, loose, and well-drained soil, in a partially shaded location sheltered from cold and dry winds. Compact yet sculptural, it is well-suited for small gardens, as well as for decorating terraces, patios, and shaded rockeries. Azaleas, pieris, rhododendrons, wild camellias, and heathers pair beautifully with this compact Acer. It can also be trained into a magnificent flat bonsai. During the end of the season, combining different varieties of Japanese Maples can create a stunning effect due to the variation in colours and leaf structures.