Aesculus parviflora

Common Names

Bottlebrush Buckeye, Dwarf Buckeye, Dwarf Horse Chestnut

Summary

Bottlebrush Buckeye is a Southeastern United States native, deciduous shrub that grows as a large, multi-stemmed, spreading plant typically 6–12 feet tall and 8–15 feet wide, often forming colonies by suckering. It features palmate leaves with 5–7 leaflets and erect white bottlebrush-like panicles of flowers in midsummer above the foliage, followed by yellow fall color.

In cultivation it prefers part shade to full shade and moist, well-drained soil, tolerates a range of soils and pH from acidic to alkaline, and is hardy in USDA zones 4–8. It can be used as a specimen, hedge, border, or woodland plant, including in shade gardens or rain gardens, and it forms colonies by suckering with a typical spacing of 36–60 inches. The nuts are poisonous if eaten by humans or livestock; the plant is generally pest- and disease-resistant and may display drought tolerance once established.

Lifecycle

Perennial

Height

96-144 inches

Spread

8-15 feet

Hardiness Zones

Zones 4-8

Sunlight Requirements

Ideally Full Sun; tolerates Partial Sun, Partial Shade, and Full Shade.

Soil Type

Moist, well-drained soil

Soil Drainage

Moist, well-drained soil.

Soil pH

5.0-8.0, tolerates acidic to alkaline soils

Bloom Color

White

Bloom Time

Summer

Foliage Color

Green

Fall Foliage Color

Yellow

Leaf Lifecycle

Deciduous

Growth Rate

Moderate

Seasons of Interest

Spring, Summer, and Fall

Propagation Methods

Seeds, Rooted cuttings, Layering, Division

Attracts Wildlife

Attracts bees, butterflies, hummingbirds, other pollinators, and birds