The Bloodgood maple is a popular plant for a few reasons. The shape and large size make it perfect for landscaping and the foliage on this plant changes colors depending on the time of year. In the summer, the leaves are a purple to burgundy color and in the winter the leaves can turn striking shades of red. The Bloodgood maple also produces tiny flowers and seeds. The flowers are light to medium purple and the seeds are a deep, rich red color.
This plant can reach up to 20 feet in height when it fully matures. The branches lean out and spread and they can grow to be as wide as they are tall. They are considered strong trees because they can handle cold winters. They are a hearty plant and they can survive even when temperatures go below zero. This makes them good for adding color to a lawn or garden area in the winter months.
Many people enjoy the Bloodgood maple because it is easy to grow and maintain. Some tips can help with growing this plant. Although it needs minimal care, things, like preparing the soil and placing the plant in the right area, can mean a more beautiful healthy tree.
You might want to fertilize the soil before planting a Bloodgood maple. Fertilizers that contain nitrogen are perfect for trees and shrubbery. They can help promote leaf growth and produce more blooms. It is best to fertilize the soil before you plant the tree. Mix the fertilizer with the soil and water the area. Wait a week before you plant your tree.
Find an area where you would like to place the tree. The plant loves direct sunlight but it also needs a certain amount of shading every day. The sunlight helps the plant produce blooms and seeds but the leaves can become wilted and shriveled if the plant receives too much direct light. The best place to put the plant would be in an area that has morning sunlight and afternoon shading. This gives the tree a perfect mix of both for a healthier plant.
When it comes to watering a younger Bloodgood maple, you will need to plant it on a hill. The roots can be damaged by over saturation and you will want the water to drain away from the roots. Another good idea would be to make a ring around the base of the tree. It should be around a foot away from the bottom of the tree and you can dig a small trench around the ring. Make it approximately 2 to 3 inches deep. Instead of watering the entire plant, you can fill the trench with water. This is a safe way to keep water away from the plant until it matures.
You may have to stake the young tree if you live in a windy area. Use either a metal pole or stick of wood and place it a few inches behind the tree. Make sure the pole is stable and gather a few cotton cloth ribbons to tie the tree to the stake. Assemble the ties on the middle base of the tree and make sure the ties are loose enough for the plant to grow. Check the ties every day and loosen them as the tree grows. Eventually, the tree will be able to stand up by itself and you can remove the stake.
If your Bloodgood maple is getting too big for the area, you can prune it. Cut the tips off of every branch that extends outward to make the tree smaller. The perfect time to do this is after the blooms and seeds start to fall from the tree.
