About
Aesculus hippocastanum 'Monstrosa' is a compact, deciduous tree that typically grows to about 3 meters in height. Its branches are short and twisted, with a distinctive ridged texture, often exhibiting fasciation. In spring, the tree produces clusters of small, lobed leaves that transition to a brownish-yellow hue in the autumn. The flowering period is marked by white blossoms that emerge alongside the new foliage.
About the genus
Aesculus consists of deciduous trees or sizable shrubs featuring prominent flowers and leaves that are lobed in a palmate arrangement. In some cases, they also exhibit appealing colors in the fall.
Growing conditions
- Sunlight
- Full sun, Partial shade
- Soil type
- Chalk, Clay, Loam, Sand
- Soil pH
- Acid, Alkaline, Neutral
- Soil moisture
- Moist but well-drained, Well-drained
- Aspect
- North-facing, West-facing, East-facing, South-facing
- Exposure
- Exposed, Sheltered
- UK hardiness
- H7
Plant details
- Plant type
- Trees
- Habit
- Bushy
- Foliage
- Deciduous
- Height
- 2.5-4 metres
- Spread
- 1.5-2.5 metres
- Time to full height
- 20-50 years
- Suggested uses
- Architectural
- Toxicity
- 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
Care notes
- Cultivation
- Grow in deep, fertile, moist but well-drained soil in sun or part shade; leaves may burn in full sun. A large tree so only suitable for large gardens
- Pruning
- Pruning group 1
- Propagation
- Propagate by hardwood cuttings from early to midwinter or by chip budding from mid to late summer
- Pest resistance
- May be susceptible to horse chestnut scale and leaf-mining moth
- Disease resistance
- May be susceptible to coral spot, canker, leaf spot and honey fungus