Maple
Hot Sauce
Acer oliverianum
An exceptional heat-tolerant selection prized for combining the deep red color of a 'Bloodgood' Japanese maple with the superior heat resilience of Acer oliverianum. 'Hot Sauce' emerges a bright red in spring, deepening through summer before occasionally turning greener in late summer and finishing with fiery orange-to-red fall color.
Growing Specifications
- Height
- 10-15 feet
- Spread
- 8-12 feet
- Watering
- Moderate; prefers consistent moisture and well-draining soil
- Light
- Full Sun to Partial Shade
- Heat Tolerance
- Elite; ranked among the most heat-tolerant Japanese maples available, capable of handling challenging southwest-facing exposures
- Growth Rate
- Moderate
- Soil Requirement
- Rich, well-draining soil; benefits from organic matter amendment
North Texas Micro-climate Notes
As with other Heatseekers Series selections in the collection, this specimen is well suited to full North Texas sun exposure, including challenging southwest-facing beds that would scorch traditional Japanese maples.
History & Lineage
- INTRODUCED BY
- Matt & Tim Nichols (MrMaple)
- HISTORY
- Found and selected from a batch of Acer oliverianum by Masayoshi Yano at World Maple Park in Uda, Japan, under the working code name 'Nakahara beni A'. Mr. Yano gave the tree to Matt and Tim Nichols of MrMaple, who received his permission to rename it 'Hot Sauce' and add it to their Heatseekers Series™ of heat-tolerant Japanese maples for the South.
Care Instructions
Plant in well-draining, organically rich soil in full sun. Water consistently during establishment and dry spells. Prune minimally to maintain natural form.
Landscape Usage
Well suited as a colorful understory or accent tree in a mixed border, particularly alongside other heat-tolerant maple selections.
Fun Fact
Acer oliverianum is native to central China and is prized among collectors for combining Japanese Maple-like foliage with notably better summer heat tolerance.
