Aesculus carnea 'Briotii', red horse chestnut
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Broadleaf Deciduous Trees

Aesculus carnea 'Briotii'

red horse chestnut

Sapindaceae
Hybrid of garden origin — Aesculus hippocastanum (Balkans) × Aesculus pavia (southeastern United States); first recorded in the mid-1800s

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At a Glance

TypeTree
HabitSpreading
FoliageDeciduous
Height30-40 feet (9-12 m)
Width20-30 feet (6-9 m)
Maturity18 years

Growing Zones

USDA Hardiness Zones

4 - 8
Zone 4Zone 5Zone 6Zone 7Zone 8
These zones indicate the coldest temperatures this plant can typically survive.
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Frost Tolerancehardy

Key Features

Attracts PollinatorsAttracts HummingbirdsDeer Resistant
Maintenancelow

Overview

Aesculus × carnea 'Briotii' is red horse chestnut, a deciduous tree growing 30-40 feet (9-12 m) tall and 20-30 feet (6-9 m) wide with a dense rounded canopy. Ruby-red flowers in erect conical panicles (candles) 8-10 inches (20-25 cm) in May-June. Dark green glossy palmately compound leaves with 5 leaflets, each 5-10 inches (13-25 cm) long. Turns yellow-brown in fall. In Sapindaceae. Hybrid — A. hippocastanum (Balkans) × A. pavia (southeastern United States). 'Briotii' is a selection with deeper red flowers than the hybrid type. Smaller than A. hippocastanum (30-40 feet / 9-12 m vs. 50-75 feet / 15-23 m). Less susceptible to leaf blotch (Guignardia aesculi) than A. hippocastanum — the foliage holds better into fall. Produces fewer and smaller spiny fruit husks than the common horse chestnut. Does not tolerate drought — leaf scorch and premature leaf drop in dry conditions. This drought sensitivity is the primary limitation. All parts toxic — seeds, leaves, and bark contain saponins and glycosides. Toxic to pets and humans. Zones 4-8. Full sun to partial shade. Growth rate is moderate.

Native Range

Hybrid of garden origin. The parents are A. hippocastanum (native to the Balkans) and A. pavia (native to the southeastern United States). First recorded in the mid-1800s.

Suggested Uses

Grown as a specimen tree in parks, large residential gardens, and institutional grounds spaced 20-30 feet (6-9 m) from adjacent plants. Ruby-red spring flower candles. Smaller alternative to A. hippocastanum. All parts toxic. Zones 4-8.

How to Identify

Identified by ruby-red erect conical flower panicles (candles) above dark green glossy palmately compound leaves with 5 leaflets on a medium-sized spreading tree. Distinguished from A. hippocastanum (common horse chestnut — white flowers with yellow/red markings, larger tree) by the ruby-red flower color and smaller stature. In Sapindaceae.

Appearance

Size & Dimensions

Height30' - 40'
Width/Spread20' - 30'

Reaches mature size in approximately 18 years

Colors

Flower Colors

red

Foliage Colors

dark green

Fall Foliage Colors

yellow
brown

Bloom Information

Bloom Period

~4 weeks
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Spring
Late spring (May-June). Ruby-red flowers in erect conical panicles (candles) 8-10 inches (20-25 cm). 4 weeks of bloom. Bee- and hummingbird-pollinated. Spiny fruit husks split in October.

Detailed Descriptions

Flower Description

Ruby-red, in erect conical panicles (candles) 8-10 inches (20-25 cm) tall

Foliage Description

Dark green and glossy, palmately compound with 5 leaflets, each leaflet 5-10 inches (13-25 cm) long; turns yellow-brown in fall — fall color is unremarkable

Growing Conditions

Sun Requirements

Full SunPartial Shade
Requires 4-8 hours of direct sunlight daily
• Full Sun: 6+ hours of direct sunlight
• Partial Shade: 3-6 hours of direct sunlight
• Full Shade: Less than 3 hours of direct sunlight

Soil Requirements

pH Range5.5 - 7.5(Neutral)
357912
Soil Types
loamclaysilt
Drainagewell drained

Water & Climate

Water Needs

Medium

Frost Tolerance

hardy

Time to Maturity

15-20 years

Care & Maintenance

Care Guide

Full sun to partial shade (4-8 hours). Well-drained soil pH 5.5-7.5. Not drought-tolerant — leaf scorch in dry conditions. Less susceptible to leaf blotch than A. hippocastanum. Prune in winter dormancy only. All parts toxic to pets and humans. Zones 4-8.

Pruning

Prune only during winter dormancy (November-February). Remove dead, crossing, or damaged branches. Develop a strong central leader when young. The dense rounded canopy is the natural form — minimal pruning needed at maturity.

Pruning Schedule

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winter

Maintenance Level

low

⚠️ Toxicity Warning

Toxic to pets and humans