Bottlebrush Buckeye (Aesculus parviflora)

Bottlebrush Buckeye (Aesculus parviflora) is a deciduous shrub native to the southeastern United States, including Georgia. Long, upright clusters of white, bottlebrush-like flowers bloom in summer above dark green compound leaves that turn yellow in fall.

Its broad form and distinctive flowers make an attractive specimen or grouped planting in a woodland garden. Pair with hosta or heuchera for contrasting leaf shapes.

Growing details

• Plant type: Deciduous shrub
• Native range: Southeastern United States, including Georgia
• Mature size: 8–12 feet tall and 8–15 feet wide
• Spacing: Approximately 10 feet apart
• Hardiness: USDA zones 4–7
• Soil: Moist, fertile, well-drained soil
• Flowers: Upright white clusters in summer
• Fall color: Yellow

Care and garden use

This low-maintenance shrub needs regular moisture while establishing. Watering can be reduced after establishment. Allow room for its broad mature spread in woodland gardens, borders, naturalized areas, foundation plantings, or hedges.

Safety caution: All parts are toxic if ingested. Plant where children and pets cannot access or eat the plant.

Image credits: Magnus Manske, P1000645 Aesculus parviflora (Bottlebrush Buckeye) (Hippocastanaceae) Flower, CC BY-SA 3.0; Lance E Sloan, Aesculus parviflora blooming, CC BY-SA 4.0; Jerzy Opioła, Aesculus parviflora 1-OB9, CC BY-SA 4.0; Magnus Manske, P1000653 Aesculus parviflora (Bottlebrush Buckeye) (Hippocastanaceae) Leaf, CC BY-SA 3.0; Marija Gajić, Aesculus parviflora (3), CC BY-SA 4.0. Plants naturally vary in appearance and may differ from the images shown.