Aesculus sylvatica
painted buckeye
A deciduous shrub or small tree up to 9m, with palmate leaves consisting of 5 leaflets, deep burgundy in spring and becoming light green in summer. The showy upright clusters of flowers vary in colour from yellow to creamy, with pink or red in spring or early summer and followed by light brown round fruits
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Size
Ultimate height
8–12 metresTime to ultimate height
20–50 yearsUltimate spread
1.5–2.5 metresGrowing conditions
Moisture
Moist but well–drainedpH
Acid, Alkaline, NeutralColour & scent
| Stem | Flower | Foliage | Fruit | |
| Spring | Cream Yellow Red | Red | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Summer | Cream Yellow Red | Green | ||
| Autumn | Brown | |||
| Winter |
Position
- Full sun
- Partial shade
Aspect
East–facing or North–facing or South–facing or West–facing
Exposure
Exposed Hardiness
H7Botanical details
- Family
- Sapindaceae
- Native to GB / Ireland
- No
- Foliage
- Deciduous
- Habit
- Spreading branched
- Potentially harmful
- Humans/Pets (dogs): harmful if eaten. Wear gloves and other protective equipment when handling For further information and contact numbers regarding pets, see the HTA guide to potentially harmful plants
- Genus
Aesculus can be deciduous trees or large shrubs with showy flowers, palmately-lobed leaves and sometimes good autumn colour
- Name status
Correct
How to grow
Cultivation
Grows best in deep, fertile, moist but well-drained soil in sun or partial shade. For further information, see our advice on tree cultivation
Propagation
Propagate by semi-ripe cuttings
Suggested planting locations and garden types
- Architectural
Pruning
Pests
May be susceptible to horse chestnut scale and leaf-mining moth
Diseases
May be susceptible to coral spot, canker and leaf spot
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