There are trees that look nice, and then there is the Bloodgood Japanese Maple - a tree that stops people mid-stride, makes neighbors ask questions, and quietly becomes the most admired thing in your yard for the next hundred years.
We have grown and sold Bloodgood Japanese Maples here at Pixies Gardens in Conyers, Georgia for years, and we have never once had a customer regret planting one. What we have seen is people make a few avoidable mistakes - wrong spot, wrong watering rhythm, wrong pruning timing - that slow the tree down or dull its famously rich color. This guide covers everything so that doesn't happen to you.
What is the Bloodgood Japanese Maple?
The Bloodgood Japanese Maple (Acer palmatum 'Bloodgood') is one of the most widely grown ornamental trees in America, and for good reason. It was bred by the Bloodgood Nursery on Long Island, New York - a nursery founded in 1793 - and introduced to the market in the years following the Civil War. Over a century and a half later, it remains the gold standard for red-leaved Japanese maples.
What makes it exceptional is color retention. Many red Japanese maples fade to a muddy bronze-green by midsummer, but the Bloodgood holds its deep burgundy-purple from spring leaf-out all the way through summer, then blazes into scarlet-red in fall before dropping. In winter, its silver bark and open, sculptural branch structure offer quiet interest when everything else in the garden has gone to sleep.
At a glance:
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Mature size: 15–20 feet tall, 15–20 feet wide
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Growth rate: 1–2 feet per year once established
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Hardiness zones: 5–8 (thrives in Georgia's zones 7a–8a)
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Sun: Morning sun, afternoon shade in zones 7–8
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Soil: Slightly acidic, well-draining, rich in organic matter
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Water: Moderate; consistently moist but never waterlogged
- Lifespan: 100+ years with proper care
How to Plant a Bloodgood Japanese Maple
Best planting times: Early spring (before leaf-out) or fall (September through November). In Georgia, fall planting is often ideal - cooler temperatures reduce transplant stress and the tree has several months to establish roots before its first summer in the ground.
Step-by-step planting:
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Choose your site carefully - this tree will be here for decades. Full morning sun, afternoon shade, away from pavement or structures that retain and radiate heat.
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Dig a hole two to three times wider than the root ball, no deeper.
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Remove the tree from its container and gently loosen any circling roots with your fingers.
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Mix your backfill soil with 25–30% compost or aged pine bark.
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Set the tree so the root flare (where trunk meets roots) sits at or slightly above the surrounding soil level.
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Backfill, tamping gently to remove air pockets - do not compact.
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Water slowly and deeply immediately after planting to settle the soil.
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Apply 3–4 inches of mulch in a wide ring around the tree, keeping mulch a few inches away from the trunk. This is one of the single most important things you can do - it moderates soil temperature, retains moisture, and suppresses weeds.
Bloodgood Japanese Maple Care
Watering
The first two years are critical. Newly planted Bloodgood Japanese Maples need deep, consistent watering - roughly two to three times per week during the growing season, more during Georgia's dry spells and heat waves. Check soil moisture by pushing your finger two inches into the ground near the root zone; water when it feels dry at that depth.
Once established (typically after two full growing seasons), the Bloodgood becomes considerably more drought-tolerant, though it appreciates regular deep watering during extended dry periods. Water in the early morning when possible - this gives foliage time to dry and reduces disease pressure.
Fertilizing
Go light. Japanese maples in general do not need heavy feeding, and too much nitrogen produces fast, soft growth that is more susceptible to pests and causes the foliage to trend green rather than burgundy. Apply a slow-release, balanced fertilizer formulated for trees and shrubs - or one labeled for acid-loving plants - once in early spring, just before buds begin to swell. We like granular slow-release products applied at the drip line of the canopy. Do not fertilize after midsummer, as this pushes tender new growth that will not harden off before cold weather arrives.
Pruning
The Bloodgood Japanese Maple's natural form is a graceful, slightly layered canopy that becomes more spectacular with age. It does not need to be shaped — your job is mostly to get out of its way.
That said, there are a few things worth doing:
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Remove dead or damaged branches any time of year, as soon as you notice them.
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Structural pruning - opening up crossing branches or improving the canopy's overall shape - should be done in late winter while the tree is dormant, before buds break. This is also the easiest time to see the branch structure clearly.
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Avoid pruning in spring or early summer when the tree is actively pushing new growth. Cuts made during this period bleed sap heavily and heal more slowly.
Wait until your tree has been in the ground two to three years before doing anything beyond removing dead wood. Let it settle in and establish.
Winter care
In zones 6 and 7, the Bloodgood Japanese Maple handles winter without any assistance once established. Young trees in their first one to two winters benefit from a thick mulch layer (4–6 inches) over the root zone to insulate the roots from hard freezes. In zone 8 and the warmer parts of 7, the bigger concern is actually late spring frosts that can catch newly-emerged foliage — keep an eye on forecasts in March and April, and if a hard freeze threatens, covering the tree overnight with frost cloth will protect the new leaves.
Landscape Uses
The Bloodgood is one of the most versatile ornamental trees in the Southeast. Some of the most effective ways to use it:
As a specimen tree. Give it a prominent location - at the end of a driveway, anchoring a front bed, beside an entry or patio - where its full form can be appreciated from multiple angles and distances.
Against contrasting backdrops. Deep burgundy reads most dramatically against light-colored structures (white fences, light brick, pale stucco), bright green evergreen hedges, or ornamental grasses. Avoid planting it in front of dark brick or dark wood - the foliage disappears.
In small spaces. At 15–20 feet at maturity, the Bloodgood is manageable in yards where a full-sized shade tree would be too large. Its roots are well-behaved and not known to heave pavement or invade foundations.
In containers. Younger Bloodgood Japanese Maples grow beautifully in large containers (25+ gallons) on patios and decks. Container-grown trees need more frequent watering and benefit from being moved to a sheltered location in winter to protect the roots.
Combined with other plants. Underplant with shade-tolerant perennials - hostas, heucheras, ferns — for a layered, low-maintenance planting. The burgundy foliage combines well with chartreuse or blue-gray plants.
Frequently Asked Questions
How fast does a Bloodgood Japanese Maple grow?
Expect 1–2 feet of growth per year once the tree is established (typically after its second year in the ground). In its first season, the tree focuses energy on root establishment and may show little top growth - this is normal and healthy.
How big does a Bloodgood Japanese Maple get?
At full maturity - which can take 15–20 years - a Bloodgood typically reaches 15–20 feet tall with a similar spread. It is a moderately sized ornamental tree, well-suited to most residential landscapes.
Can I grow a Bloodgood Japanese Maple in Georgia?
Absolutely. Georgia falls in USDA zones 7a to 8a, which is within the Bloodgood's ideal range (zones 5–8). The key adaptation for our climate is afternoon shade during summer - a spot with morning sun and shelter from the hottest afternoon sun produces the best color and health.
When should I plant a Bloodgood Japanese Maple in Georgia?
Fall is our preferred planting time in the Southeast - September through November. Cooler temperatures mean the tree faces less stress during establishment, and it has the entire cool season to put down roots before its first Georgia summer.
Do Bloodgood Japanese Maples lose their leaves in winter?
Yes - they are deciduous trees. Leaves drop in late fall after the color display, and the tree remains bare through winter. The branch structure is attractive in its own right during the dormant period.
How long do Bloodgood Japanese Maples live?
With appropriate siting and basic care, well over 100 years. There are documented specimens approaching 150 years old. This is a tree you are planting for generations, not just for yourself.
Is the Bloodgood Japanese Maple deer resistant?
No. Deer browse Japanese maple foliage, particularly new growth in spring. If deer pressure is high in your area, protective fencing around young trees is worth considering until the tree grows beyond easy reach.
