Acer oliverianum 'Hot Chicken' Japanese Maple

Acer oliverianum ‘Hot Chicken’ is an extraordinary and rare Japanese selection of a heat-tolerant Chinese maple, discovered as a chance seedling by renowned Japanese author and maple expert Masayoshi Yano. Originally given the working code name “Nakahara ben B,” this exceptional selection was later officially named ‘Hot Chicken’ and added to the Heatseekers Series™ of heat-tolerant Japanese maples for the South. Its foliage offers a spectacular progression of color, from bright red new growth to olive green mature leaves, followed by vibrant autumn tones.

• Zones: 6–9
• Spring Color: Bright red new growth maturing to olive green
• Summer Color: Olive green with brilliant red flushes of new growth
• Fall Color: Vibrant shades ranging from bright red to olive green
• Mature Size: Approximately 10–12 ft tall in 15 years
• Growth Habit: Upright, small to medium-sized tree
• Light: Full sun to filtered light; exceptionally heat tolerant once established
• Best Uses: Specimen tree, collector's garden, containers, and focal point plantings
• Best Feature: Exceptional heat tolerance combined with striking red new growth and olive green mature foliage
• Garden Interest: Provides a dynamic display of contrasting foliage colors throughout the growing season
• Introduction: Chance seedling discovered by Japanese maple expert Masayoshi Yano; introduced as part of the Heatseekers Series™