Colour of Bloodgood Japanese Maple leaves

I got a bloodgood maple in early spring, hoping to get the super bright red leaves. However I got more like a burgandy rather boring color. I wonder if there is anything I can do to the soil to improve the colour of the leaves? more nitrogen?

Thanks

Tony

 

Tony,

Have you checked the pics here for comparison? I think there is a range of color even with true 'Bloodgood'. The plant though is not noted for having bright red leaves except maybe in Autumn.

I would not add nitrogen unless indicated by a soil test.

 

i agree with Gil

 

Variable seedlings have been sold under the cultivar name. True item has purple shoots and good purple leaves. Like other purple forms, color deteriorates over summer under hot conditions. Look at photos and descriptions in books like Maples for Gardens and Japanese Maples (both in the collections of the Miller Library at the Center for Urban Horticulture, Seattle) to see what you should be getting under this name.

 

Thank you very much for the information.

 

BTW, if you don't end up getting the colors you desire from bloodgod, consider fireglow. I have heard (possibly on my fall wishlist) that it is similar to bloodgod but with the brighter red colors you desire.

 

Thanks again. Is this an maple as well?

 

Tony, yes that is correct. The full name is Acer palmatum 'Fireglow'. The name for Bloodgood is Acer palmatum 'Bloodgood'. There are literally hundreds of different Acer palmatum varieties, in just about every leaf color you can imagine. There is a list of mail-order nurseries on this forum that will direct you to reputable dealers should you desire 'Fireglow' or another variety. Or, you may be extremely lucky and have a nursery nearby that carries it, although most retail nurseries carry a very limited number of Japanese Maples.

Pretty much the only thing we talk about here on the maple forum are maples! :-)

 

If you add more nitrogen to the tree, will it not darken the foliage colour?

I have noticed this colour change to other deciduous plants once I added more N to the soil.

 

yep, here is the description from Vertrees and Gregory, pg 138 "It is similar to the popular well tried and tested bloodgod but the leaves are not as deeply divided and it has a deeper, more intense, red color with stays throughout the summer even in hot sunny conditions. The new leaves emerge a very bright pink red in the spring before turning a deep red."

You may also want to check out the photo gallery although I don't think any of the pics have yet captured the spring bright pink. the last pic is my favorite.

http://www.botanicalgarden.ubc.ca/forums/showthread.php?t=2914&highlight=fireglow

See here for a dreamy photo that I think fits the bill of what you're looking for:

http://www.eastforknursery.com/NEW_ACER PALMATUMS.htm#Acer_palmatum_Fireglow

Again, (and as per usual) I am not speaking from experience as I don't have the tree, but I have heard enough positive comments that it has made it onto my fall wishlist.

 

Thanks again,

This makes is crystal clear. I was looking for a "fireglow" but I got a "purple Ghost".

Cheers,

Tony

 

Minor defense of Bloodgood--wait some time. After 7 years in-ground, mine rewards me every afternoon/evening with sun-through-burgundy leaves; it's a placement effect involving back lighting that you have to be there for. Then in fall, those burgundy leaves get fiery red for a final flourish. No fertilizer. Wood chips.

Neighbor's got an A.P. Fireglow about 5 years in the ground with no doubt more overall blazing red tone, but leaves drop with no notable color change in autumn. Both trees have fine merits.