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Bottlebrush Buckeye Wikimedia Commons
Sapindaceae

Bottlebrush Buckeye

Aesculus parviflora

Elegance in shade.

Family
Sapindaceae
Genus
Aesculus
Native to
Southeastern United States
Bloom season
Summer
Type
shrub
Height
8-12 ft
Sunlight
full sun to part shade
Soil
moist, well-drained, rich
Water
moderate
Hardiness
4-8
Lifespan
perennial

Did you know

  • Its white flower spikes can reach 12-18 inches long, resembling giant bottlebrushes that light up shady areas in midsummer.
  • It spreads by root suckers to form large colonies, and a single original plant can eventually cover an area 15-20 feet wide.
  • The long-protruding red-tipped stamens give the flowers a dramatic, firework-like appearance.
  • Unlike its cousin the horse chestnut, its nuts are much smaller and are an important food source for squirrels.
  • It is one of the few large shrubs that flowers reliably in deep shade, making it invaluable for woodland gardens.

Color meanings

0

elegance

1

calm beauty

2

patience

Uses

  • shade gardens
  • woodland gardens
  • foundation plantings
  • mass plantings