Aesculus pavia is a small deciduous tree or large shrub that is native to the Southeastern U.S. Red Buckeye has considerable interest in spring with its showy red flowers. It's a good plant for use in small areas.
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F E A T U R E S |
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Form
-single- or multi-trunked small tree or large shrub
-to 20' tall x 20' wide
-upright oval to rounded
-slow to medium growth rate |
Foliage
-dark green; deciduous; opposite arrangement
-palmately compound with 5 leaflets; obovate; acuminate tips; finely serrated; glabrous
-petiolules distinct; petiole and petiolules emerging purple-red
-less susceptible to leaf scorch and/or powdery mildew than European Horsechestnut
-autumn color poor green to yellow-brown; leaves defoliate by late Sept. |
Flowers
-6" long x 2" wide inflorescence of many solitary flowers
-showy; stands out above foliage
-typically red, but also found with pink, pale orange and yellow; mid- to late-May |
Fruit
-yellow-brown to light orange smooth capsule
-splitting in Sept.-Oct. to yield one or two 1" yellow-brown nuts with a prominent white "eye of the buck" |
Twig
-olive brown stout stem
-brown leaf scars
-large terminal tan buds with prominent scales
-lateral buds much smaller
-branches becoming light gray and fairly smooth |
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Trunk
-ash-gray
-lightly fissured |
C U L T
U R E
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Culture
-does best in full sun or partial shade in a moist, well-drained, rich soil; prefers slightly acidic soils, but will tolerate neutral to slightly alkaline soils
-survives moderate stress but will not look attractive
-rare availability; B&B
-plant in moist location on north or east side of structures
-little maintenance required; rarely does it need pruning, mainly for damaged branches |
Hardiness
-zones 4 to 8
Origin
-native to Southeastern U.S.
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U S A G E |
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Assets
-showy red inflorescences in spring
-reputedly tolerant of salt spray
Liabilities
-some leaf scorch or powdery mildew in mid-summer (but much less than Horsechestnut)
-may occasionally be susceptible to webworms |
Function
-specimen, foundation, or entranceway small tree
Texture
-medium in foliage and when bare |
S E L
E C T I 0 N S |
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Varieties
and Cultivars
- Search
OSU PlantFacts for additional plants in this species
Alternates
-small accent trees that have attractive spring flowers (Amelanchier
spp., Cornus, Cornus kousa, Crataegus spp., Malus cultivars, etc.) |