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Red buckeye is usually a single stemmed, rather open small tree only 8-10 ft (2.4-3 m) tall, although they have been known (rarely) to reach over 30 ft (9 m) in height. The attractive leaves, 5-10 in (12.7-25.4 cm) across, are palmately compound with five (occasionally seven) serrated leaflets radiating from the ends of 4-6 in (10-12.7 cm) petioles (leaf stems). They are velvety purple-green at first unfolding. The showy red flowers are arranged in 4-10 in (10-25.4 cm) terminal spikes (called racemes) and appear along with the leaves in early spring. The fruit is a smooth, thin-walled capsule, 2-3 in (5-7.6 cm) in diameter containing 1-3 poisonous seeds that look very much like chestnuts. There are two varieties recognized: The typical variety, Aesculus pavia var. pavia, has tubular flowers about 1.5 in (3.8 cm) long with the stamens extending a little beyond the tube; they are pollinated by ruby-throated hummingbirds. Aesculus pavia var. flavescens has yellow flowers, not quite as elongate, and the stamens do not extend beyond the tube; they are pollinated by bumblebees. A few cultivars have been selected. 'Atrosanguinea" has dark crimson flowers; 'Alba' has white flowers; 'Humilis' is low-growing, nearly prostrate, with smaller flowers. Several hybrids between and among red buckeye, yellow buckeye (A. flava), common horsechestnut (A. hippocastanum), and Ohio buckeye (A. glabra) have been developed by horticulturists. One of the most popular (especially in Europe) is red horsechestnut (A. X carnea), a cross between red buckeye and common horsechestnut.
Location
The fast-growing red buckeye is very easy to grow. The seeds will germinate as soon as they ripen. Seedlings begin flowering in two or three years. Red buckeye can tolerate brief flooding and considerable shade. Buckeyes do best in rich loamy soil, with a neutral or even basic pH. Add lime if your soil is acidic. Within their native range buckeyes shouldn't need supplemental watering or feeding and they don't have pest or disease problems. Light: Red buckeye does well in shade or semi-shade. However it will develop a fuller crown and produce more flowers in full sun. On the other hand, it will lose it's leaves by late summer (instead of mid autumn) when growing in full sun. Moisture: Established specimens can survive any drought that occurs within the natural range, but they often lose their leaves in midsummer if there is not sufficient rainfall. Hardiness: USDA Zones 5 - 9. Red buckeye occurs naturally in USDA hardiness zones 8 to 9A, but it is cultivated as far north as zone 5, possibly to zone 4. Sometimes the flowers, which emerge in very early spring, get killed by late freezes. Propagation: By seeds which sometimes begin to germinate even before they drop off the tree. The cultivars should be started from cuttings or grafted onto seedlings.
Plant some red buckeyes in the filtered shade of a large live oak or some pines, or in front of the wooded edge of your yard. They go well with oakleaf hydrangea (Hydrangea quercifolia), and wake-robin trillium, two other southeastern natives that do best in shade with limy, calcareous soils. Red buckeye is so fast growing, and it flowers so soon after planting, that it is an ideal tree for a child to plant (but note Warning below).
Features
Steve Christman 8/1/97; updated 2/19/00, 9/29/03
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WARNING
