Give Monthly
to GWF

Make a One-time Donation

Resources < Wildlife Habitats < Native Plants < Native Plant Database < Aesculus pavia

Red Buckeye
Dwarf Red Buckeye, Scarlet Buckeye
Aesculus pavia

One of the first plants in the woodland to reawaken in spring, red buckeye starts sending out tender new leaves as early as February, up to a month before the surrounding oaks and maples show any sign of renewed life. Red buckeye’s lavish carmine flowers come early, too, and are an important source of food for hummingbirds in the months before most other plants are in flower.

This is a wonderful little tree to plant at the edge of a woodland garden, near a patio, or as the focal point at the curve of a path. It is especially pretty when underplanted with early spring wildflowers. But red buckeye isn’t effective only in spring; its large, drooping, dark green leaves provide plenty of interest throughout the growing season. The lush foliage also provides excellent cover for songbirds. As a final note, red buckeye should be recommended to all impatient gardeners, because it brings instant gratification: It starts blooming when it is just 3 feet tall.

Family:  Hippocastanaceae (Horse Chestnut Family)

Description: Large deciduous shrub or small tree with 3 to 6" palmately compound leaves. Leaves contain 5 to 7 glossy, dark green leaflets. 4 to 8" spikes of coral-red tubular flowers bloom in early spring. Smooth round tan seed capsules are available from August to October.

Size: 10 to 20’ high and wide under landscape conditions; up to 36’ in the wild.

Habit: Develops a dense, round-topped form in full sun but takes on a more natural, asymmetrical shape in shade.

Growth Rate: Moderate.

Light: Full sun to dense shade. Excellent flowering occurs in full sun so long as plants are kept moist.

Planting and Care: Transplant in very early spring, taking extra care for the tender, fleshy roots. Plants prefer rich, well-drained, acidic soils but will also tolerate poor, alkaline soils. Keep moist and well mulched, especially in sunny situations.

Ornamental Value: Assets include very early spring leaves and extravagant red flowers in April.

Landscape Usage: Plant as a single specimen or in groups. Great for naturalizing beside or under deciduous canopy trees or pines.

Wildlife Benefits: Nuts are eaten by squirrels and other small mammals. Flowers attract ruby-throated hummingbirds, bees, and many butterflies.

Native Habitat: Found as an understory tree in rich, moist woodlands and along streams and swamps throughout the Coastal Plain and lower Piedmont.

Propagation: Seed (no stratification), dormant root cuttings.

Photo and text by Leslie Kimel, Georgia Wildlife Federation.