Deciduous Trees – Bloodgood Japanese Maple

Botanical name: Acer palmatum

Beginner friendly?: yes

Average size at maturity: Slowly reaches 15 to 20 ft. tall, 15 ft. wide.

Bloom time: spring

Hardy zone: Zones 5-9

Flower color: purple

Foliage color: red

Growth rate: 1 – 2 ft a year

Pruning instructions: Remove any old or weak branches that disrupt the shape of the tree as needed

Propagation methods: cut a stem just below a node and place in water until roots start to emerge

Landscape use: Beautiful in a highly visible area amidst a collection of grasses and evergreens

Light needs: Prefers a partially shaded area, 4 hours of sunlight a day

Special features: Dramatic Foliage Color, Easy Care, Fall Color

Watering instructions: Keep soil consistently moist but not soggy.

Fertilizing instructions : Use 10-10-10 in the early spring

Best time to plant: spring or fall

Best type of soil: loamy/clay

Companion plants: azaleas, helleborus, mountain laurel

Toxicity level: non-toxic for humans and pets

Invasive species: no