Tips For Planting Martha Stewart's Most Recent Garden Addition: The Bloodgood Tree

Martha Stewart is growing a new trend — literally — with the addition of the stunning 'Bloodgood' tree to her garden lineup. A long-time fan of Japanese maples (Acer palmatum), Martha recently fell in love with this new cultivar. Known for its leaves that remain deep burgundy all summer long, the 'Bloodgood' Japanese maple is a stunning addition to your summer garden. Then, in the fall, the leaves turn a more vivid shade of fiery red, earning them the nickname autumn welcoming tree in Japan. 'Bloodgood' Japanese maples grow to a height of about twenty feet, making them perfect for yards and home gardens, and they thrive in USDA hardiness zones 5b through 8. With its vibrant hues, the 'Bloodgood' Japanese maple can bring its firey beauty to your garden every year.

These shade-loving beauties can be planted in a variety of locations. Martha planted her 'Bloodgood' trees in gaps in her garden that can be seen from the windows of the Tenant House, a smaller guest house on her Bedford, New York, farm that she has occasionally rented out. They're also often grown near patios or decks. However, if you don't have a space in your yard that you need to fill, 'Bloodgoods' also thrive in containers. Wherever you choose to plant your trees, you can look forward to beautiful red leaves every fall!

If you want to plant your 'Bloodgood' Japanese maple in your yard, first look for a spot with some afternoon shade, especially if you live in the southern portion of its range. The spot should also be at least 15 feet from any buildings to leave space for the mature branches and foliage. Once you've chosen the best place to plant your Japanese maple tree, dig a hole at least as tall as the tree's root ball and twice as wide. Carefully place your tree in the hole, then fill halfway with soil. If you've never planted a tree before, it's a good idea to learn how to avoid the five mistakes everyone makes when planting a tree. With the right location and a little care, your 'Bloodgood' Japanese maple will grow into a stunning centerpiece.

You can also choose to plant your 'Bloodgood' in a large container that's at least two times the size of its root ball with drainage holes, such as a Wallowa Heavy Planter Box or KOL Metal Rectangular Planter. Your container should have room for the roots to spread out. If you do choose to plant in a container, you'll need to water it more frequently and possibly even use fertilizer, such as this FoxFarm Happy Frog Japanese Maple Fertilizer. Be sure to follow all the package directions when using chemicals. Soon, you'll be able to say your garden looks like Martha Stewart's — at least a little bit!