Hot blonde

Character & interest

‘Hot Blonde’ is a modern selection designed to perform where many yellow maples struggle: sun, heat, south / south-west exposures. The decorative effect is very clear: yellow through the season, then a blazing red finale. It’s a great choice to create a bright focal point in the garden, or to bring contrast near red and green foliage.

Colours

• Spring : golden yellow with an orange margin on young leaves.

• Summer : yellow to yellow-green, often becoming more yellow as the season goes on.

• Autumn : fiery red (often very intense; can be late depending on climate).

Habit & vigour

Upright habit, natural silhouette. Good to strong vigor: regular, fast growth when the soil stays cool in summer.

Indicative size

Observed orders of magnitude depending on sources and training:

• about 3 to 4 m tall at around 10 years,

• often 2 to 2.5 m wide at that age (depending on branching),

• in a container, size stays more contained, but the pot volume must match its vigor.

Exposure

Sun to bright partial shade. ‘Hot Blonde’ is specifically sought after for its tolerance to sun and heat; however, in very hot climates or in containers, a bit of afternoon shade remains beneficial if the substrate dries quickly.

Origin & history

‘Hot Blonde’ is described as a chance hybrid discovered by the Nichols brothers (MrMaple), from a natural cross between Acer oliverianum and a golden Japanese maple (Acer shirasawanum type). It is often presented as one of the most heat-resistant maples in their selection.