Common Name: Red Buckeye
Scientific Name: Aesculus pavia
Order: Sapindales
Family: Hippocastanaceae
Description Red buckeye is a deciduous plant. The flowers of red buckeye last many weeks in the spring and attract hummingbirds and butterflies. The red, showy, tubular flowers are borne in 4- to 8-inch-long panicles. The fruit of red buckeye is a round capsule that is 1-2 inches in diameter and is dry, hard and orange-brown. There is also a pronounced red coloration in the leaf petioles. The smooth, leathery capsules begin to split to reveal and release the lustrous, hard seed in mid-October. The shiny nuts are toxic to people. The leaves are opposite, palmate, and 3-6 inches long. They emerge early in spring, are dark green in summer and don’t change much in color for the fall. The leaves are toxic to discourage herbivory and usually drop during late September.
Growth Habit Red buckeye is a fast-growing, large shrub or small tree that reaches from 15-20 feet tall and 15- 25 feet wide. There are many small-diameter branches with an occasional upright, aggressive one growing as large as the trunk. Main branches begin forming low on the trunk and remain there when grown in the full sun. As it grows the shape of it forms in to a round shape. By October, red buckeye trees will be covered in clusters of ripe 2- to 3-inch diameter fruit. It also has an oval and round habit with moderate density. Although irregular when young, it becomes symmetrical with age. The texture of red buckeye is coarse.
Hardiness Zone(s) Red buckeye can grow in the USDA zones 5 through 9. It naturally occurs in zones 8 through 9A. It can be found as far North as zone 5, sometimes to zone 4. Red buckeye emerged in the early spring, but can be killed by the late freezes.
Culture Red buckeye can be grown in the shade or the sun. It does well in all soil textures, and prefers moist, well-drained soil that is slightly alkaline to acidic. It grows best in good, rich soil. Red buckeye, if grown in full sun, should be protected and watered to keep the roots cool and moist. If the branches are needed to be cleared they must be pruned. It is native along moist stream banks so it is not very drought-tolerant. One must be sure to clear all turf away from beneath the branches so it doesn’t have competition with the turf. Also, train the trunks and branches so they will not touch each other. To reduce the likelihood of splitting, eliminate or remove some secondary branches on main branches with included bark or those which are likely to develop it as soon as possible. Diseases & Insects Red buckeye is almost pest-free, although it can have severe problems with leaf blotch.
Landscape Value Red buckeye can enhance any landscape with its delightful spring flush of foliage and flower display. It can be the centerpiece of any landscape if placed properly. Its bright flowers, light brown, flaky bark and coarse open structure are excellent ornamental features of red buckeye. Because it attracts hummingbirds and butterflies, it is appealing to people who wish to attract wildlife in their yards. Red buckeye is not necessarily used as a border. It is more for a showing shrub in one’s yard.
References Gilman, E. F. and D. G. Watson. 2014. Aesculus pavia: Red Buckeye. University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences. Online.
This document was authored by Ambrielle Kaufmann, Department of Agricultural Sciences, Louisiana Tech University, April 2015.