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Aesculus pavia

Also Known As

Aesculus splendens
Red Buckeye

Plant type

tree, shrub

size

H: 15'-20'
W: 10'-15'

planting zones

6a-10b

More Options

Aesculus pavia plant details

Aesculus pavia is a moderate-growing broadleaf deciduous shrub or tree with green foliage. In spring and summer red flowers emerge followed by brown fruit. Attracts bees, birds, butterflies and hummingbirds making it an excellent addition to pollinator gardens. Grows well with sun - dappled shade and regular - occasional water. Adapts to various soil conditions. Does well in average, clay, rich and well-drained soil. A good option if you're seeking something heat tolerant, humidity tolerant and seaside / salt tolerant.

CHARACTERISTICS OF Aesculus pavia

Plant type: shrub or tree
Plant family: sapindaceae
Foliage: deciduous green
Mature size: 10 FT - 15 FT - wide, 15 FT - 20 FT - tall
Flowers: red blooms in spring and summer
Uses: big leaves, easy-to-grow, showy, tropical-looking

GROWING CONDITIONS for Aesculus pavia

USDA Zones: 6a - 10b
Sun exposure: sun - dappled shade
Watering frequency: regular - occasional
Resistant to: deer, heat, humidity and seaside / salt
Soil needs: average, clay, rich and well-drained

Nursery contributed plant descriptions

A beautiful small (15-25') tree with handsome leaves, showy 6" panicles of red flowers in spring, and lovely fall color. S-PSh/M

By: Forestfarm

Red Buckeye is a tough shrubby relative of the full-sized Chestnut tree and features bright red flowers that cover the plant in the middle of spring. Each flower panicle will typically be around 10 inches tall and five inches wide and stand upright above the foliage. Most plants will grow as a shrubby bush around 10-15 feet tall, they can be pruned into a 25' single trunk form by removing any new suckers each winter. The foliage is very attractive but in hot, dry climates it get burnt by the end up summer so gardeners in the Southwest should plant Buckeye where it will get a little bit of afternoon shade.

By: Red Panda Nursery

This red flowering, southeastern US native buckeye is well at home in the small garden, topping out at 15 ft with a very handsome silhouette. Scarlett candelabras of flowers cover the tree in spring. A bird magnet. Full sun to part shade in hottest climates. Likes fertile soil and moderate water; scorches in dry conditions. Frost hardy in USDA zone 4.

By: Cistus Nursery

Red buckeye is a feast for the eyes when in flower and the parent tree of these seedlings has flowers that are a TRUE deep red (we mention this because we read that sometimes the tree flowers greenish, though we've never seen that). Can you name many another native southeastern trees with showy red flowers? There are only a few! (hint: red maple, red dogwood) The flowers are a touted source of nectar for the ruby-throated hummingbird. When you see the seeds, you'll immediately understand why it's called a buckeye tree. Our plants are seedling grown by us from seeds from Dr. Michael Dirr's garden. The smaller stature is a coveted asset for those of us with smaller gardens. This just in, I read on Backyard Wildlife Connection that Red Buckeye is listed as one of the 10 top native hummingbird nectar plants. Whoo hoo!

By: Cutting Edge Plants

Deciduous clump-forming shrub or small tree with an irregular rounded crown and red, narrow-tubular flowers that bloom in spring in very showy, erect, terminal panicles to 4–10 inches long. Palmate, shiny green leaves are attractive in spring and early summer, but usually begin to decline by August. Leathery, beige fruit capsules enclose 1–3 seeds (buckeyes) that ripen in fall. Makes an effective landscape specimen, screen or hedge. Best grown with some afternoon shade in hotter climates. Growth Rate slow to medium

By: Garden World

To lump this distinguished small tree with more coarse horsechestnuts is inappropriate, as it has tremendous ornamental appeal. Shiny, scorch-free foliage and bright red spring flowers command attention. Tolerates heat well, stays small, and blooms freely even in shade. Among Aesculus this one is an aristocrat.

By: Heritage Seedlings

My favorite dwarf buckeye and an important parent of many of the red hybrids. It is quite variable even in the wild, most specimens are under 20' in height however specimens over 60 ft are known to exist.

By: Arrowhead Alpines

Easily grown native. Not well known to many gardeners, but highly thought of by those in the know. Shrub size usually, but can make a small tree with time. Interesting leaf, growth habit, and flowers. Known to attract the earliest returning hummingbirds. Grows 3-5? in ten years. Awards: Award of Garden Merit from the Royal Horticultural Society, Gold Medal from the Pennsylvania Horticulural Society. Recommended by: Ohio Plant Selection Committee.

By: Fantastic Plants

A tough native shrub that produces clusters of brilliant red blooms touched with yellow just as the Ruby Throated Hummingbirds begin to arrive in spring! The Red Buckeye is typically a medium to large growing deciduous shrub. Carrying a Red Buckeye seed in your pocket was considered good luck. These tough natives are tolerant of a variety of soil types, drought and salt tolerant, and are deer and pest resistant. They may defoliate early if exposed to extended periods of drought. Give this shrub plenty of room as they seem to grow larger in the garden than is commonly found in the wild.

By: Almost Eden

Red Buckeye. Small tree or large shrub. 10-20 feet tall. Red flowers. Lustrous dark green foliage. Good in full sun, but will also grow in light shade, for example at the edge of the woods. Zones 4-8

By: Hoot Owl Hollow Nursery

Clump-forming small tree w/ spectacular salmon to medium red flowers on 6-8" panicles in spring. (Our form is near red.) Always brings ooh's and ahh's when it blooms. Seldom seen in the trade. Eastern Native. Attractive brownish red berries released from tan capsules. There are really no words that can adequately describe this tree's Beauty. Attracts hummingbirds (which is rare for a tree) as does the Mimosa below. Blooms at an early age. Dislikes dry soil. Plants of Merit - Missouri Botanical Garden.

By: Lazy S'S Farm Nursery

Red Buckeye. Deer resistant, this species boasts a bold shape, growing 15-20' tall with an equal width. It blooms in mid spring with upright red panicles, that are quite attractive to hummingbirds. Grows happily in seaside gardens. 18-24" plants available for spring shipping.

By: Avant Gardens

Hummingbirds are thrilled at the sight of the rich, salmon-red flowers in spring, and defiantly defend them from each other. Shrub-like growth to 12 x 12 ft in 10 years. Minimum temperature: -10° F