Aesculus pavia

Red Buckeye

Aesculus pavia, commonly known as Red Buckeye, is a small native tree or large shrub prized for its showy red spring flowers, wildlife value, and adaptability to understory conditions. It is especially noted for attracting hummingbirds early in the season.

Key Characteristics and Benefits


Flowers & Color: Upright clusters of bright red to scarlet tubular flowers in early to mid-spring, highly attractive to hummingbirds and pollinators.



Foliage: Palmate, medium-green leaves with a bold, coarse texture.



Growth Habit: Upright to rounded, often multi-stemmed; can be grown as a small tree or large shrub.



Native Value: Southeastern U.S. native with strong ecological benefits.



Size: Typically reaches 10–20 ft tall with a 10–15 ft spread.



Care and Requirements


Hardiness: USDA Zones 4–8



Light: Full sun to partial shade



Soil: Prefers moist, well-drained soil; adapts to average garden soils



Water: Moderate; appreciates consistent moisture



Maintenance: Low; minimal pruning required



Tolerance: Moderately drought tolerant once established



Note: Seeds and foliage are toxic if ingested



Summary:
Red Buckeye is an excellent choice for native gardens, woodland edges, pollinator plantings, and small landscape spaces, offering early-season color, wildlife value, and manageable size.

Plant type

Flowering Ornamental Tree

Height

10-20'

Width

10-15'

Hardiness zones

4–8

Sunlight

Full Sun, Partial Shade

Growth rate

Moderate

Bloom time

Spring

Flower color

Hot Pink, Red

Leaf color

Dark Green

Fall color

Dark Green

Attracts

Hummingbirds

Soil

Clay

Landscape use

Accent Plant, Mass Planting, Specimen

Shape

Globe Shaped, Rounded

Bark

Smooth

Fruit

Yes

Fragrant

Yes

Deer resistant

Yes

Drought tolerant

No

10-year height

10'

10-year width

10'