So this is a pretty cool plant. I’ve been noticing it a lot lately actually. Its a native plant around here in PA.

Random fun facts:

- You can identify this plant in the winter by its flower peduncles; they stay on the plant and are curved.

- This plant is very similar to the common horsechestnut tree; they’re in the same family.

The Specs:

Family: Hippocastanaceae
Genus: Aesculus
Species: parviflora

Common Name: Bottlebrush Buckeye

Region of Origin/Nativity: Southeastern United States

Characteristics: Multistemmed shrub that colonizes by ‘suckering’. Is typically anywhere from 8 to 12′ high and because of the suckering has a relatively infinite spread; typically its 15 to 20′ though. Leaves are opposite, palmately compound, and have 5 to 7 leaflets which are elliptic, finely serrate, and acuminate. The shrub has a yellow gold fall color that is quite nice.

Life Span: Deciduous Shrub

Hardiness: USDA Zones 5 to 8

Cultivation requirements: Likes rich, moist, loamy soil that is more acidic than neutral. It can handle full sun to partial shade, but does slightly better when there is at least filtered shade. Its natural habitat is as an understory planting, so the filtered shade thing makes a lot of sense. 

Typical Pests, Diseases, associated problems: None that are serious or noteworthy.

Propagation Method: Its done easily by seed, as long as the seeds are planted immediately after they are harvested because they won’t grow if they dry out. You can also easily propagate by division. Thats also the fastest method.