'Fireglow' Japanese Maple was selected by the Fratelli Gilardelli Nursery near Milan, Italy in the early 1980's. It did not take long after its introduction to the American nursery trade for its qualities to be recognized.
'Fireglow' was, at first, compared with 'Bloodgood'... a Japanese Maple that had long been the standard for an upright, vase-shaped maple with red foliage.
Before long, however, professionals realized 'Fireglow' was more upright... its leaves were less divided... and its color was more intense. Southern nurserymen also realized 'Fireglow' was more drought & heat tolerant than 'Bloodgood'... and that its red foliage color held up better to the heat of Southern summers.
Ever since then 'Fireglow' has held a slight edge over 'Bloodgood'... even though 'Bloodgood' is more readily available in the trade. Gardeners and homeowners in Southern states, however, might want to hold out for 'Fireglow'... even if they have to look a little harder to find it.

Reply to this comment