Aesculus sylvatica - buckeye, painted

Height: 15’ +
Spread: 6’ to 15’
Light Needs: part shade
Water: average
Flower color: red (typically pale yellow)
Bloom time: April to May

This is a large shrub to small deciduous tree. The palmately divided leaves of buckeyes are distinctive among our native shrubs. The typical flower color is yellowish. This color form from Pickens County has spikes of showy pink to red flowers in spring. Some have suggested that it is a natural hybrid with Aesculus pavia. The fruit is a leathery capsule containing 1-2 dark brown seeds. In the garden, this makes a striking specimen. The flowers attract hummingbirds and butterflies. The larvae of several moths feed on buckeyes. The seeds are toxic for people but may be eaten by squirrels. The plant has some resistance to deer.