Bloodgood vs Crimson Queen Japanese maple
Both are red Japanese maples that hold their colour through summer, and they show the two shapes Japanese maples come in. 'Bloodgood' is an upright small tree, about fifteen feet, with hand-shaped leaves, and it can be underplanted right up to its trunk. 'Crimson Queen' is a laceleaf: a slow, weeping mound wider than it is tall, with leaves cut into threads, and it wants more shelter from sun. Choose by the space: a tree for height, or a cascading mound beside a path or a pond.
 Japanese maple 'Bloodgood'Acer palmatum 'Bloodgood' |  Laceleaf Japanese maple 'Crimson Queen'Acer palmatum var. dissectum 'Crimson Queen' | |
|---|---|---|
| Size | 15 ft tall, 15 ft wide | 8 ft tall, 11½ ft wide |
| Plant | 13 ft apart | 10 ft apart |
| Zones | 5 to 8 | 5 to 8 |
| Light | Full sun to part shade | Part sun to part shade |
| Soil | Evenly moist, rich fertility | Evenly moist, rich fertility |
| Flowers | Late April to early May; red, purple | Late April to early May; red |
| Leaves | Medium, deciduous | Fine, deciduous |
| Job in a bed | Anchor | Anchor |
| Pets | No toxicity recorded | No toxicity recorded |
| Deer | Resistant | Not listed as resistant |
| Native | No | No |
| Spread | Low risk | Low risk |
Rows where they differ are marked. Flowering times are for zone 5.
Which to choose
- Choose Japanese maple 'Bloodgood' for dry summers, deer country and more height (15 ft against 8 ft).
- Choose laceleaf Japanese maple 'Crimson Queen' for a smaller space (8 ft against 15 ft).
Can they grow together?
Yes: they grow in the same conditions. What laceleaf Japanese maple 'Crimson Queen' brings beside Japanese maple 'Bloodgood': low enough (8 ft) to stand in front of it; happy in the same moist soil. They share part sun and part shade and zones 5 to 8.
Read more: all about Japanese maple 'Bloodgood', and all about laceleaf Japanese maple 'Crimson Queen', each with a bed the planner designed around it.