Plant Care 101: Bloodgood Japanese Maple
Last updated: Nov 03 2020
A fresh, richly-hued focal point of any landscape, the Bloodgood Japanese Maple Tree is known for standing out. Landscape designers love to use its vibrant silhouette for good reason: it pops well against grass, flower beds and more.
The roots are well-behaved, so these Japanese Maples are perfect for accenting corners or crevices near foundation walls. They also work great for small yards, entryways, and beyond - especially since they're so easy to maintain, particularly with our effortless care tips!
How to Plant the Bloodgood Japanese Maple
Your Bloodgood Maple is ideal for planting and growing in zones 5 to 8 outdoors. That means it can tolerate temperatures down to -10 degrees and hot, humid areas as far south as parts of Florida.
Once you've got your perfect location and are ready to plant your Bloodgood, dig a hole that's about two times the width of your tree's root ball. After that, you can place your tree, backfill the soil, and then water the surrounding soil to settle your tree's roots.
Caring for the Bloodgood Maple
The most important part of long-term care is watering, but the Bloodgood isn't super finicky. We recommend watering your tree about twice or three times weekly to start. But if you're not sure when to water or live in a climate that gets a lot of rain (or not enough rain), just check the soil about 3 or 4 inches down - if the soil is dry here, it's time to water your Maple. This is applicable for both ground-planted Bloodgoods and potted Bloodgoods.
Once your Bloodgood is better established, you can fertilize with a nitrogen blend. Apply this blend once in the spring, and always follow the fertilizer's label instructions for best results.
How to Prune a Bloodgood Japanese Maple
Your tree will need 2 to 3 years to become firmly established in your landscape before you start pruning. But after it's had this time to acclimate, you may begin to prune. It's not required but the Bloodgood does respond well to shaping.
FGT Tip: Remember to sterilize your shearing tools with rubbing alcohol. That ensures that your cuts are clean!
Caring for the Bloodgood Maple Tree
Here are a few more tips to keep your Bloodgood going and growing strong.
- When pruning, try to make symmetrical cuts at a 45-degree angle.
- Japanese Maples do not require a lot of fertilizer - in fact, you may not even have to fertilize. If you do, apply just before the leaves appear.
With our care tips, you'll have a hassle-free Bloodgood Maple of your own no time. Learn more about the Bloodgood Maple here!
Written by
Blair Brown
Blair is the Content Marketing Manager at FastGrowingTrees.com, and though she's not your traditional gardener, the planting world is definitely growing on her (pun intended!). She's enjoyed digging into plant care and maintenance and growing her plant collection, especially with exotic indoor varieties.
