Red that holds its character
Leaves with five to seven lobes retain deep red-purple colour and create a single velvety plane.
6
Acer 'Bloodgood'® premiun 19cm
Normal price
€38,00
What does the legal guarantee mean for plants?
The legal guarantee concerns the plant’s conformity at delivery. It is not a guarantee of survival or growth for two years. Each issue is assessed taking into account the nature of the plant, its care and the conditions in which it is kept. Your statutory rights remain unaffected.
Acer palmatum ‘Bloodgood’®
Upright, serious and not at all discreet — thankfully ❤️
- Deep red-purple foliage
- Upright bushy crown
- Bright red autumn colour
- RHS Recommended: Award of Garden Merit
Acer palmatum ‘Bloodgood’® carries the deep, velvety red that can organise an entire planting around it. Slender palmate leaves open red-purple, hold rich depth through the season and ignite in clear red during autumn. Its presence is strong, elegant and immediately recognisable, making it an ideal choice when a setting needs a true visual anchor.
The upright bushy crown gradually develops balanced volume and clean lines. As a young plant it adds immediate colour to a courtyard or terrace; in open ground it becomes an imposing small tree that brings contrast, depth and architectural stability.
The cultivar ‘Bloodgood’ holds the RHS Recommended: Award of Garden Merit (1993), an internationally recognised distinction for dependable garden performance.
What makes it special
‘Bloodgood’ combines three different strengths: lasting colour depth, a strong outline and a bright autumn finale.
An upright crown with clean lines
Bushy branching develops balanced height and spread, forming a strong yet elegant focal point.
A brilliant autumn lift
Deep colour brightens into clear red before natural leaf fall.
Why you will love it: It is a proven choice for deep colour and architectural presence, with every autumn adding a vivid peak.
In the garden & on the balcony Placement & plant combinations A central red focal point in a sheltered position, with clear room for the upright crown
An upright purple presence
Plant it as a specimen small tree in a courtyard, near an entrance or in the middle-to-rear layer of a cool mixed composition. The mature crown develops comparable height and spread, so it needs a clear position to retain its natural symmetry.
For several freely formed plants, allow approximately 2.5–4 m from centre to centre, following the mature spread. Growth remains more controlled in a large pot, but stability and long-term planning are essential.
Pale low textures
Fine yellow lines and coppery young foliage brighten the base of the deep red-purple crown. These companions share a preference for bright partial shade and organic soil that retains moisture while draining freely.
- Carex oshimensis ‘Evergold’ — yellow-striped evergreen foliage keeps the lower layer bright after the maple sheds its leaves.
- Epimedium × perralchicum ‘Fröhnleiten’ — spreads low evergreen foliage and bright yellow spring flowers in front of the deep red-purple foliage
- Dryopteris erythrosora — its coppery young fronds bridge the warm tones and visually soften the deep red-purple foliage
Care at a glance
Light
Bright partial shade or morning sun; gentle light supports deep red colour, with shelter from fierce afternoon sun and drying winds.
Watering
Water thoroughly when the upper layer begins to dry, maintaining even moisture without waterlogging; check pots more frequently in hot weather.
Climate & hardiness
Deciduous and hardy in winter cold; fresh growth benefits from shelter against late frost, hot dry air and extreme summer exposure.
Safety
An ornamental plant, not food. It is not intended for consumption; place it away from children or animals that tend to chew plant material.
Detailed careComplete care guideLight, microclimate, ground planting, pots, growing medium, watering, feeding, pruning and the winter cycle
Light & microclimate
Bright partial shade or morning sun; gentle light supports deep red colour, with shelter from fierce afternoon sun and drying winds.
Planting in the ground
Plant in fertile, organic, acid to neutral soil that retains moisture yet drains freely. Keep the root collar level with the surrounding soil and allow the natural crown the space indicated by its mature habit.
Growing in a pot
Choose a stable outdoor pot with unobstructed drainage and a structured growing mix. Check the available root space periodically and move to a larger pot when roots fill it. Keep enough room around the crown for its natural outline.
Watering & cool roots
Water thoroughly when the upper layer begins to dry, maintaining even moisture without waterlogging; check pots more frequently in hot weather. An organic mulch helps buffer sudden changes in moisture and temperature.
Feeding & clean foliage
A light application of balanced fertiliser in early spring is usually sufficient. Avoid excessive nitrogen and late feeding, which encourage soft new growth.
Pruning & the winter cycle
Pruning is rarely necessary. Remove only dead, damaged or awkwardly crossing branches after leaf fall and before midwinter. A bare crown in winter is entirely normal.
Development over timeFrom a young Acer to large, upright and bushy crownCareful establishment gradually gives way to characteristic natural branching and increasingly rich seasonal changes.
First establishment
After planting, new growth may be restrained while the root system settles. Even moisture and a sheltered microclimate matter more than rapid extension.
The natural habit becomes clear
As the main shoots branch, the plant gradually develops a large, bushy and upright crown. Its natural line is most attractive when it is not clipped into a rigid shape.
A mature seasonal rhythm
With maturity it repeats its distinctive colour cycle each year: deep red-purple from spring through summer and bright red in autumn, followed by natural leaf fall.
Mature form & dimensions
10–20 yearsHeight 2.5–4 mSpread 2.5–4 mBroad upright canopy
The central trunk branches into a broad upright crown. Palmate leaves form denser layers along its lateral branches.
Form through time
Spring–summerBroad upright canopy
AutumnWarm colours and gradual leaf fall
A bare winter framework is normal for a deciduous Acer. Colour and the timing of leaf fall depend on the local microclimate.
What to expect after planting: In a suitable position in open ground, the mature form reaches approximately 2.5–4 m in height and 2.5–4 m in spread over 10–20 years. Growth usually remains more restrained in a pot.
History & origin Cultivar origin The route through Bloodgood Nursery
‘Bloodgood’ is associated with the historic Bloodgood Nursery on Long Island, New York, which distributed this purple-leaved Acer palmatum selection. It later became widely grown by British nurseries, carrying the cultivar from American nursery production into European collections.
This established route of distribution does not necessarily identify where the original plant arose. Its first selector and exact creation date remain uncertain parts of its history.
Greenleaf for Plant NerdsScience nobody asked forBotanical details for anyone curious about what lies behind the plant’s appearance
Purple foliage still photosynthesises
Deep purple colour does not mean that chlorophyll is absent. Anthocyanins can visually mask the green while chloroplasts continue to photosynthesise. The final shade results from different pigments occurring together within the tissues of the leaf.
Frequently asked questions
Six practical answers covering light, seasonal colour, pots, mature size, pruning and winter leaf fall.
01How much sun will it tolerate in warm European regions?
Bright partial shade or morning sun; gentle light supports deep red colour, with shelter from fierce afternoon sun and drying winds. A sheltered microclimate matters just as much as the number of hours of light.
02Why does its colour change through the year?
Foliage opens red-purple, holds deep colour through the season and becomes brighter red in autumn. Very deep shade can reduce its intensity.
03Can it remain in a pot?
It can grow for many years in a large outdoor pot with free drainage and regular root checks. Open ground is preferable for full mature development.
04How large does it become and how quickly?
In a suitable position in open ground it reaches approximately 2.5–4 m in height and 2.5–4 m in spread over 10–20 years. Microclimate and available root space influence the rate.
05Does it need pruning to hold its shape?
Usually not; its natural architecture is central to its beauty. If cleaning is needed, work after leaf fall and before midwinter, removing only what is necessary.
06Is it normal for the tree to be bare in winter?
Yes. It is deciduous and sheds its leaves in autumn after completing its colour cycle. Fresh growth returns in spring.
📦 Your plant travels protected
Every order is prepared with care so your plant arrives upright, secure and safe.
Individual protection
Plants in pots with a capacity of 3 litres or more are placed in individual boxes that hold the pot securely and reduce the risk of tipping over.
Sturdy packaging
We use reinforced cardboard designed to protect against impacts and vibration during transport.