About

This small, upright tree features glossy, palmate foliage that emerges with a pinkish-bronze tint in its early stages. In early summer, it produces upright panicles of deep red blossoms that are somewhat sparse, which are followed by smooth, pale brown fruit.

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
Clay, Loam, Sand
Soil pH
Acid, Alkaline, Neutral
Soil moisture
Moist but well-drained
Aspect
West-facing, South-facing, North-facing, East-facing
Exposure
Exposed, Sheltered
UK hardiness
H5

Plant details

Plant type
Trees
Habit
Columnar upright
Foliage
Deciduous
Height
4-8 metres
Spread
2.5-4 metres
Time to full height
20-50 years
Suggested uses
Cottage and informal garden, 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
Needs a deep, fertile, moist but well-drained soil in sun or semi-shade
Pruning
Pruning group 1
Propagation
Propagate by seed or grafting
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