Deciduous Shrubs

Aesculus parviflora

Bottlebrush Buckeye

Sapindaceae

Southeastern United States (Alabama, Georgia, Florida panhandle)

At a Glance

TypeShrub
HabitSpreading
FoliageDeciduous
Height8-12 feet (2.4-3.6 m)
Width8-15 feet (2.4-4.5 m)
Maturity8 years

Growing Zones

USDA Hardiness Zones

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

Key Features

Attracts Pollinators
Attracts Butterflies
Attracts Hummingbirds
Deer Resistant
Fragrant (light)
Native to North America
Maintenancelow

Overview

Aesculus parviflora is a broad, suckering deciduous shrub reaching 8–12 feet (2.4–3.6 m) tall and spreading 8–15 feet (2.4–4.5 m) wide or wider through root suckers. Unlike most species in the genus Aesculus, this is a multi-stemmed shrub rather than a single-trunked tree. Leaves are palmately compound with 5–7 leaflets, each 3–8 inches (8–20 cm) long, dark green with finely serrated margins. Foliage turns yellow in fall, typically in October in zones 6–7. Erect, cylindrical flower panicles 8–12 inches (20–30 cm) long appear in June through August, composed of small white flowers with prominent pink to red stamens extending 1–1.5 inches (2.5–4 cm) beyond the petals. Flowers produce a light, sweet fragrance. Fruit capsules are pear-shaped, smooth, 1–1.5 inches (2.5–4 cm) long, containing 1–2 brown seeds. Growth rate is moderate; plants reach full height within 5–8 years. Colonies expand by root suckers at a rate of 1–2 feet (30–60 cm) per year outward, forming broad thickets over time. Suckering can be difficult to contain in small spaces. Leaf scorch develops in full sun during drought. All parts are toxic if ingested.

Native Range

Native to the southeastern United States, restricted primarily to Alabama, Georgia, and the Florida panhandle. Found in rich, moist deciduous forests, stream banks, and bluff habitats at 200–1,500 feet (60–450 m) elevation.

Suggested Uses

Commonly planted as a mass planting in woodland gardens, shade borders, and large-scale ground covers at 6–8 foot (1.8–2.4 m) spacing. Suckering habit fills large areas under deciduous tree canopy. Not suited to small gardens or confined spaces where suckering would require constant management.

How to Identify

Distinguished from other Aesculus species by shrub habit (multi-stemmed, suckering) rather than tree form. Flower panicles 8–12 inches (20–30 cm) long with prominent pink to red stamens extending well beyond the white petals, giving a bottlebrush appearance. Leaflets 3–8 inches (8–20 cm) long, 5–7 per leaf. Fruit capsules are smooth and pear-shaped, lacking the spines of A. glabra or A. hippocastanum.

Appearance

Size & Dimensions

Height8' - 12'
Width/Spread8' - 15'

Reaches mature size in approximately 8 years

Colors

Flower Colors

white
pink
red

Foliage Colors

green

Fall Foliage Colors

yellow

Bloom Information

Bloom Period

~4 weeks
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Summer
Flowers June through August in zones 4–8. Bloom begins approximately 6–8 weeks after A. hippocastanum, filling a gap when most Aesculus species have finished flowering. Individual panicles last 2–3 weeks; total bloom period extends about 4 weeks. In zone 8, bloom may begin in late May.

Detailed Descriptions

Flower Description

White with prominent pink to red stamens

Foliage Description

Dark green palmately compound leaves with 5-7 leaflets, turning yellow in fall

Growing Conditions

Sun Requirements

Full Sun
Partial Shade
Full Shade
Requires 2-8 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 - 7.0(Neutral)
357912
Soil Types
loamclaysand
Drainage
moist

Water & Climate

Water Needs

Medium

Frost Tolerance

hardy

Time to Maturity

5-8 years

Care & Maintenance

Care Guide

Water deeply every 1–2 weeks during the first 2 growing seasons. Established plants require consistent moisture; leaf margins scorch during prolonged drought in exposed sites. Plants tolerate full shade but flower production decreases below 3 hours of direct sun. Suckering colonies expand 1–2 feet (30–60 cm) annually and may encroach on adjacent plantings; root barriers or regular sucker removal limits spread. Leaf blotch (Guignardia aesculi) may develop in humid conditions but is typically less severe than on tree-form Aesculus species. No regular fertilization is required.

Pruning

Prune in late winter (February–March) before new growth emerges. Remove dead stems and thin crowded growth to maintain air circulation within the colony. Suckers can be cut at ground level to limit spread, or transplanted to establish new colonies. Rejuvenation pruning to 6–12 inches (15–30 cm) above ground is tolerated every 5–7 years if the colony becomes overgrown.

Pruning Schedule

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late spring

Maintenance Level

low

⚠️ Toxicity Warning

Toxic to pets and humans