Usually a single-stemmed, rather open shrub with palmate leaves. Spikes of showy red flowers, 4-8 in. long, are pollinated by ruby-throated hummingbirds in spring, and also attract native bees. Foliage drops naturally in late summer. Brown, egg-shaped fruit in the fall. Handsome shrub. Usually drops leaves early, but can be yellow-orange-red. Squirrels eat the nuts.
Native Plant Database
Header Photo: Mervin Wallace
Red Buckeye
Aesculus pavia
Plant Type: Trees
Native Environment: Forest
Season of Interest: Early (Feb - Apr), Mid (May - June)
Main Color: Red
Fall Color: Red, Yellow
USDA PLANTS Range Map
At the range map link above, zoom in for county-level data
Photo: Mervin Wallace
Sun Exposure
Full Sun, Medium Sun/Average Shade, Shade
Soil
Moisture
Dry, Moderate
Nature Attracting
Hummingbird, Pollinators/Beneficial Insects
Wildlife Benefit
Butterfly / Moth Nectar, Food/Pollinators, Food/Small Animals
Animal
Resistance
Size
Height:
10 to
20
feet
Spread:
10 to
20
feet
Size
Height: 10 to
20
feet
Spread: 10 to
20
feet
Size
Height: 10 to
20
feet
Spread: 10 to
20
feet
Typical Landscape Use
A good accent plant for large shaded areas. Works well as an understory shrub or at the front edge of a wooded area.
Establishment and Care Instructions
Very easy to grow in moist soil. Grows best in rich soil in filtered shade. Tolerates brief flooding.
Special Features
Nuts
Special Usage
Salt Tolerant
Basic Description
Where Should I Start?
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Where Can I Find This Plant in Nature?
Learn about the Native Environment(s) inhabited by the plants in this database.