Bloodgood IS arguably the most popular cultivar of JM but simply because it is the most prevalent. In colder climates or those tat tend to experience late season frosts, I'd stick with Emp 1 or other notably cold hardy choices. Just the generic species, Acer palmatum, will tolerate quite cold conditions and perform well. And one can get a lot of variation in form and coloring.

Here is a link that might be useful: Japanese maples for cold climates

a few more choices ... :)

Here is a link that might be useful: 240 japanese maples

Thank you for your responses. An emperor 1 would be an obvious first choice, however since I can't find one in my area, we are now going to choose between the crimson prince and the Fireglow. Am I correct in my thinking that cp would be more cold hardy in our zone 5 than Fireglow or about the same.

In further thinking about what to choose, we have pretty much decided it would be nice to have something different since we already have the e1. I like the idea of the cp and Fireglow having more vibrant color as the summer moves towards fall. The question is; cp or Fireglow. Now that we have narrowed it down I would appreciate your input.

I'd go with the Fireglow, is my favorite in ground JM!

Thanks for your response. Here is where we're at. I've eliminated Bloodgood for couple reasons I mentioned above. Have gone back to the nursery to look at Crimson Priince and Fireglow. (There probably getting tired of seeing me!). I'm finally dragging my husband now that I have found two that I like lol! I LOVE the Fireglow. The colors are outstanding, more "varied" and vibrant than our EMP1. The CP is nice too, right now a lot of the leaves are a greenish color (not red) but it's getting shaded from other trees where it's displayed at the nursery. Maybe that's the reason?

Everything I read about these two trees gives me a different answer on how big they get. Would like the smaller of the two. I'm definitely leaning toward Fireglow. I hope it can handle full sun and cold northeast Ohio winters.

"Everything I read about these two trees gives me a different answer on how big they get."

That IS annoying, isn't it!?
I think it has to do with the different areas. A Fireglow in the warm coastal regions of the northwest would probably get bigger than one in N.E. Ohio. Who knows.