Japanese Maple "Bloodgood"

Hello everyone,
I am new to Dave's garden and I was hoping some of you might be able to help me.
I am looking for some detailed information on the Japanese Maple variety "Bloodgood" I know they grow very healthy in the Pacific Northwest where I live (Zone 8) but I am having trouble looking it up. My husband doesn't like trees any shape or form, but he happened to pick out this one on our walk today. We are starting fresh in our backyard and would like to have 3-4 trees to provide shade. Our entire backyard has direct southern exposure, and i would like to know if they like direct sunlight, or partial shade. how tall do they get, what is their spread, root habits...those kinds of things...if anyone can help me I would appreciate it. If you need any other info from me, just let me know.
the one that we saw was fairly young...it was only about 6' tall. and I'm pretty positive on the ID of the tree. It had really beautiful dark, glossy red-purpley leaves, bark was tinted -not average brown- and had the slender trunk with upright branches in a semi columnous shape, but as it gets older may progress to the vase shape. I didn't have my cell phone with me otherwise I would have taken a picture & posted it. sorry.
Well, if you could help, I would greatly appreciate it.
Thanks!!!
~Jollie-hanna :)

http://landscaping.about.com/cs/fallfoliagetrees/a/fall_foliage6.htm

Jollie_Hanna, try this one - I don't know if it gives you more info than you already have or not, but here's hoping.

And welcome to DG!

Here's mine taken last June. It's about ten years old. I really love it!

You might check out the Japanese Maple forum for more information.

Gorgeous, Katy!!! Looks like the entire garden is. How are you feeling?

Hi murmer, thanks for asking. I guess slow and easy wins the race! lol

Thanks Murmur. :) I appreciate the input guys! :)

Jollie,

I had 2 of them in my yard when I lived in Seattle. They are wonderful trees. I had them both to adult size and they were about the same size. Probably 10 or 12 feet tall. With a spread of about the same. In my back yard I had one over a pond, just a 3 pool trickle pond for noise, nothing with fish or anything, so I built an arbor and put the boards thru the branches, just on the edge of the tree. The arbor was about 15 feet long, attached to the house and the boards were 2x8s. Painted white. I just loved that area. I had begonias and fuchsia hanging backets in there. Finally I put in a hot tub and a tile "floor". It was so nice.

I know if you get those that you and your husband will neither be sorry.

Jeanette

This message was edited May 2, 2007 12:34 AM

I've read they do best with morning sun and afternoon shade. That's what mine gets and it's wonderful.

Absolutely beautiful (the tree and the whole setting)!