Aesculus pavia

RHS Plant Profile
red buckeye
red buckeye RHS

Other common names

red horse chestnut

Shrubs

A large deciduous shrub to 5m, rounded in habit with glossy dark green leaves divided into five narrow leaflets. Flowers red, not opening widely, in erect panicles to 15cm in length in early summer. Fruit smooth

Position

Full sun, Partial shade

Soil Types

Chalk, Clay, Loam, Sand

Max Height

4-8 metres

Max Spread

2.5-4 metres

Size

Time to Maturity
20–50 years
Max Spread
2.5-4 metres
Max Height
4-8 metres

Growing Conditions

Chalk Clay Loam Sand
Moisture
Moist but well–drained or Well–drained
pH
Acid or Alkaline or Neutral

Position

Full sun Partial shade
Aspect
North–facing or West–facing or East–facing
Exposure
Exposed or Sheltered
Hardiness
H5

Colour & Scent

Season Stem Flower Foliage Fruit
Spring
Summer
Autumn
Winter

Botanical Details

Family
Sapindaceae
Native to GB/Ireland
No
Foliage
Deciduous
Habit
Bushy
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
Plant Range
S USA

How to Grow

Cultivation

Useful for smaller gardens

Propagation

Propagate by seed or grafting

Suggested planting locations and garden types

  • Architectural
  • Low Maintenance

Pruning

Pruning group 1

Pests

May be susceptible to horse chestnut scale and leaf-mining moth

Diseases

May be susceptible to coral spot, canker, leaf spot and honey fungus