Today, we will compare two wonderful trees widely known among gardeners.
QUICK ANSWER: The main difference between Red Dragon Japanese Maple and Bloodgood Japanese Maple is size. Red Dragon is a dwarf tree and more suitable for small compositions. Bloodgood, on the other hand, is a full-fledged tree with a broad canopy.
| Red Dragon | Bloodgood | |
| Name | Acer palmatum ‘Red Dragon’ | Acer palmatum ‘Bloodgood’ |
| Hardiness zone | 5-8 | 5-8 |
| Mature height | 6-8 ft (1.8-2.4m) | 20-25 ft |
| Mature width | 6-8 ft (1.8-2.4m) | 20-25 ft |
| Growth rate | medium | fast |
| Light exposure | full sun, partial sun | full sun, partial sun |
| Soil | moist, drained | moist, drained |
| Soil pH | 6.1-7.0 | 5.5-6.5 |
| Watering | One time per week in a drought | One time per week in a drought |
| Diseases | fungus | fungus |
| Pests | insects, mites | insects, mites |
Read also: How to Care for the Japanese Maple for the Beginner.
Size and growth rate
Bloodgood is a large enough tree that, at maturity, it can reach 25 feet in height and width. You should know it will need enough space to develop when selecting it.
Red Dragon, on the other hand, is a dwarf Japanese maple. Its size at maturity usually does not exceed 8 feet in height and width.
It follows from the size that Bloodgood needs more space. Plant it at least 15 feet away from other trees or the house.
Red Dragon needs much less space. The distance between it and other objects should be about 4 feet.
The second aspect is the growth rate. Red Dragon is a slow-growing tree that grows about half a foot a year in width and height. The annual growth of Bloodgood under ideal growing conditions can reach two feet.
This means that if you want a large tree quickly, Bloodgood is your best bet. On the other hand, Red Dragon is a good choice for those with a small garden who appreciate dwarf forms.
Shape
Red Dragon has a more mushroom-shaped crown. It spreads equally in width and height. But its branches tend to sag, so it looks broader than tall.
As a result of Red Dragon’s characteristics, you can have a beautiful weeping dwarf maple with a very dense crown. It is valuable as a weeping tree for rock gardens or small flowerbeds.
Bloodgood, on the other hand, is a more upright-growing maple. This is especially pronounced in its early years. At first, this maple produces almost upright structural branches, and only over time does the crown expand and thicken.
The value of Bloodgood is in its canopy. It can provide sufficiently good shade under which shade-loving plants can be grown.
A slight advantage of Red Dragon is that it is better suited to growing in a container. Thanks to its compact size, you can keep it in a pot for many years.
Leaves
Bloodgood has larger leaves, usually divided into 5-7 lobes. The lobes are large, and the cuts are pretty narrow, resulting in a leaf blade that is quite large.
Red Dragon, on the other hand, has much more heavily cut leaves. The incisions are deep and wide. The leaf blade is almost absent, the leaf looks as if composed only of veins.
Moreover, the lobes are also split into smaller ones with serrations. All this makes the Red Dragon leaf much more interesting and unusual.
This is one of the features for which it is very highly valued. Some people see the shape of a flying dragon in its leaves. This is what became the name of this variety.
Color
With equal sunlight, the Red Dragon will have dark red or almost purple leaves. This color will last from spring to summer. Then, the leaves will become less bright, even with a slight greenish tint.
Bloodgood, on the other hand, has more red leaves. In the second half of summer, it, too, will lose its saturation of color and become paler.
Red Dragon has an interesting feature. The lower part of its leaves has an orange hue, which makes it almost spiritually colored. This is an ornamental advantage over its competitor.
Similarities
The first thing that needs to be mentioned here is watering. To be precise, it’s overwatering. Both maples do not tolerate watering too frequently or poorly drained soil.
To be successful, you need to keep an eye on the moisture around the roots and only water when the soil is 1 to 2 inches dry. This watering is required for 2 years after planting; then, the tree will take root and be able to provide its water.
Avoid planting near areas where water flows or accumulates. Also, ensure the soil is well-drained, and if necessary, improve it with organic matter before planting.
A second similarity is the need for sunlight. They both need at least 4-6 hours of direct sunlight daily. In this case, the leaves will have a brighter color.
As for fertilizer, you should use granular fertilizer once a year. Make sure it contains no more nitrogen than 15.
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