Bottlebrush Buckeye -
Aesculus parviflora - is a fabulous plant for summer bloom and fall color. Quite the insect attractor, it is also pleasantly fragrant on sultry summer days.
This plant has graced the Valley since 1992, and I've continued to expand the holdings through growing out seedings, by division of layering stems, and addition of a few choice named selections. Both the species and variety
Aesculus parviflora var. serotina are pretty much problem-free here, though they appreciate some supplemental watering if you are beset with an extended drought period.
These plants do very well in shade, and fuller exposure to sun will reward with really heavy flowering. Here are a few pictures of the species from my landscape:
Settled in, in June 2005:
2001 Camry 'Old Blue' for scale:
Winter dormancy character, at Gratz Park in Lexington KY:
Beginning to swallow the driveway, June 2006:
Demonstrating its orangey gold fall color at Cave Hill Cemetery in Louisville KY:
Summer of 2020, still a star:
