Unlike other Aesculus it is a much more modest sized plant growing to a maximum of between 3 and 5 metres, although it wont be allowed to reach that size in our garden. Its a native from
southeastern United States found growing in fairly open woodlands. So is ideally suited to be used as an understory shrub.
Once in leaf it resembles the traditional leaf form expected from Aesculus, and although not tropical nor exotic also passes a reasonable resemblance to the schefflera family. It blooms in the mid summer, although we have only had a couple of fairly small flowers
In spring when the young leaves are growing is probably the most exciting time for me with this plant, heaven! Unlike many of the more exotic plants in our garden this is quite an old introduction being introduced to British horticulture by John Fraser a well known botanist following a trip to the American South in 1785.
By the summer the large palmate leaves give a lovely exotic effect before autumn arrives and you get the final display of the year.
Gaz
This gardening blog follows our journey as we create our Tropical and Exotic themed garden. We hope you'll enjoy the journey as much as we do. We started our Exotic Garden in 2005 and this site will show its development, as well as our travels, both abroad and within the UK to gardens, nurseries and friends.
Some lovely color changes on this plant. It is very cool looking as it is opening it's leaves in the Spring.
ReplyDeleteCher Sunray Gardens
Indeed Cher, love the changes it undergoes as it leafs out in the spring!
DeleteThat IS a beautiful plant - and one with which I am unfamiliar, so thank you for introducing it to me! Does it suffer with the leaf miner affecting horse chestnuts?
ReplyDeleteHiya, we're not aware that is, not sure to be honest. I have yet to see a specimen of it that's affected though.
DeleteThanks for this closer look at the Aesculus, I'm intrigued. I've never seen one at a local nursery though.
ReplyDeleteHopefully there will be some available in a nursery near you soon :)
DeleteInteresting post, as I recently discovered that more native Aesculus grows in my state (Alabama) than anywhere else in the world! And I don't have a single one. I must correct that!
ReplyDeleteIt's relatively small growing too, more manageable and perhaps better for most gardens.
DeleteWhat an interesting plant. I like your idea of using this instead of a schefflera for colder areas.
ReplyDeleteIt makes for a great Schefflera substitute for colder locations
DeleteI'll need to get a picture of the grove of these in the parking lot at work. We have about 5 or 6 mature ones planted together, it's simply breath taking when in flower or full leaf. It has an almost magical feel to it somehow. That might just be the plant nerd in me though...
ReplyDeleteThat'll be lovely Tom, looking forward to seeing it!
DeleteFantastic suggestion: exotic looks, forgiving ways...what's not to like?
ReplyDeleteIndeed Ricki :)
DeleteWhat a yummy plant! One of the few downsides to having inherited lots of nice mature shrubs is the lack of space for new ones, and you are very good at making me regret this!
ReplyDelete