Go Native
With the Red Buckeye
The first time I saw a red buckeye shrub, it beckoned me with its scarlet plumes and the scads of hummingbird visitors. This northern gal had never seen this striking little tree or its scarlet, tubular blooms. I grew up in and love Wisconsin, yet I've come to cherish plants of the South as I've traveled and now spend time in a Southern cottage.
Native to the southeastern United States, the red buckeye plant is a wonderful addition to any landscape that meets its growing needs. When you see the spires of orchid-like blooms, you are likely to become a fan. Besides being a hummingbird magnet, it likewise attracts birds and butterflies, provides food for wildlife, and is rich in nectar for honeybees. Get to know the red buckeye.
Introduction to the Native Red Buckeye
The red buckeye (Aesculus pavia) delights nature lovers. People love them for their striking foliage and blooms. Is it a tree or a shrub? The answer lies in the conditions the plant grows in. In rich soil and sunshine, it’s likely to become a small tree, growing over 15 feet tall. In poorer soil or shadier conditions, it’s likely to be more shrub-like. The stunning, bright red flowers bloom in late spring. Planting this buckeye in your yard offers a wide range of benefits including improved soil fertility, increased wildlife activity, as well as providing habitat nectar for pollinators. Like most native plants, this lovely shrub has a relationship with its landscape. There are many reasons to plant and nurture the red buckeye, sometimes called scarlet buckeye, in your garden.
The lovey buckeye trees are considered toxic to humans and animals if ingested. While dogs don’t tend to find it enticing, some pets will eat anything. If your pet chews on objects that are not obviously food , supervise them around your landscape or consider not adding this tree to your yard. As for kids, tell them the tree and seeds are toxic. Keep little ones away from danger.
The red buckeye is a deciduous shrub/tree that blooms in mid-spring. It's a hardy plant in Zones 4b to 8. With waxy green leaves and clusters of bright red flowers, it grows best in full to partial sun and can thrive in acidic and alkaline soils. The red buckeye gets its name from the seeds that resemble the eye of a deer.
I look to the shrub in spring for its first flush of growth, fast-growing spikes of palmate leaves, and the flower buds that draw the season’s first pollinators and hummingbirds.
Benefits of Growing the Red Buckeye Plant
The scarlet buckeye is a charming and beneficial shrub. Grow it to attract hummingbirds, bees, and butterflies. Squirrels do eat the nut-like seeds.
The fast-growing drought-tolerant shrub/tree thrives in a variety of climates. This beauty produces deep red flowers throughout the summer and its large brown seed capsules can stay on the shrub throughout the winter months, contrasting the snow and ice. Choose the Red Buckeye for your small garden or backyard, where it can bring a touch of color and structure to the landscape. Add several to your woodland garden.
The buckeye may defoliate during a dry summer. Don’t worry; the leaves will likely reemerge the following Spring. Weekly watering may preserve the foliage leaves until fall. My trees don't get supplemental watering. Even so, I haven't lost a buckeye tree yet.
The woody taproot contributes to its drought tolerance, flood control, and soil fertility. Native plants with taproots also provide a channel to replenish water to the underground water table.
The Red Buckeye is also known for its disease resistance, making it a smart choice for those without much gardening experience. This hardy shrub is native to the southeastern United States and can tolerate drought and a wide range of soil types.
It's not just the booms that make the Aesculus pavia special. The foliage is palmate (shaped like fans with veins joining together from a single root) with 5-lobed leaves that are bright green in the spring and summer, and transition to bright yellow and orange in the fall. It provides an eye-catching addition to a forest and a landscaped or woodland garden. For those looking for a unique addition to their outdoor space, the red buckeye is an excellent choice.
Choosing the Right Location for a Red Buckeye Plant
Red buckeye plants prefer moist soils, so it’s important to select a location that has adequate drainage. Although they can tolerate some dryness, Aesculus pavia will thrive in soil that is rich in organic matter and high in moisture. This plant is native to the southeastern United States but can be grown in many parts of the country. It requires full sun for the best growth and blooms for up to three weeks in spring. In the zone 7 area where I know them, they bloom in early April. The Buckeye does best in a sheltered position to protect from strong winds and heavy frosts- so mine are in partial sun to mitigate the effect of drying and destructive winds. Red buckeyes are an attractive addition to any garden, providing stunning blooms and lush foliage.
This is an ideal tree for many gardens due to its low maintenance needs, and it produces a beautiful, fragrant bloom. The red buckeye tree has a unique, bright red flower and produces a striking show of color in the spring. It can grow to around 15 feet tall and wide and tends to be more shrub-like in shadier settings. Planting this tree in your garden is sure to bring beauty and delight to your landscape.
Furthermore, when planting Red Buckeyes, it’s important to make sure that they are spaced out from one another. This is because overcrowding of these plants can lead to root competition and ultimately stunted growth. Provide plenty of room for each plant so that it can thrive and reach its full potential.
If you plant from seed, they may come up right away as mine did.
Nutrient Needs for Optimal Growth of a Red Buckeye Plant
Red buckeye plants require plenty of sunlight to ensure proper growth and health, it is prohibited, but it's always wrong to dig up a tree from public or private land unless you have specific permission. You can purchase the seeds or collect them from your existing trees, or a kind friend. The seeds should be planted in well-draining soil and a sunny location. Red Buckeye trees prefer moist soil, so it’s important to water them regularly. My soil shale based and isn't ideal, so I amend it with compost when planting. These trees are also very tolerant of drought conditions once they’re established. With proper care, they will reward you with beautiful red flowers in the spring and eye-catching red-orange foliage in the fall.
Cuttings can also be taken from existing trees and planted in spring or early summer to propagate Aesculus pavia. Cuttings should be taken from healthy parts of the tree, such as stems with healthy leaves. The cuttings should be placed in moist soil and kept in light shade until the cutting takes root. Red buckeye is a hardy tree, so you may not need to water it much until it is established. Once the cutting takes root, your new tree will be ready to thrive in your garden.
Have a Relationship with Your Environment and Plant Native
Red buckeye is an ideal addition to gardens needing a splash of color and texture. Once established, the deep roots can withstand drought conditions better than many other plants, making them a low-maintenance but long-lasting addition to your garden. If you’re looking for an appealing plant for your landscape that can stand up to a variety of climates and weather extremes, the Red Buckeye is worth considering.
Sources: University of Arkansas Department of Agriculture
North Carolina Extension Services