Species red horse chestnut
Eye-catching pink-yellow flowers, with a brown stem, that are growing above green leaves.

red horse chestnut

Aesculus carnea

Red Horse Chestnut is an amazing species. Its beautiful dark red flowers bloom in the late spring and early summer, contrasting the bright green foliage. The foliage provides winter interest when its leaves turn to yellow and brown. The tree also produces large seeds that attract wildlife like deer, birds, and squirrels. Not only is this species visually stunning, it also has amazing medicinal benefits. The leaves provide relief from fever and inflammation and the bark can be made into a tea to help reduce headaches. Red Horse Chestnut really is an amazing species and a great addition to any garden.

Cycle:

Perennial

Watering:

Average

Propagation:

Grafting Propagation,Cutting,Layering Propagation,Seed Propagation,Air Layering Propagation,Tissue Culture

Hardiness Zone:

5 - 8

Flowers:

Red Flowers In Spring

Sun:

full sun,part shade

Fruits:

green,red,yellow,orange,brown Fruits Ready In Fall

Leaf:

Yes

Growth Rate:

Low

Maintenance:

Moderate

Poisonous To Pets:

Yes

watering

Red horse chestnut trees should be watered with 1 to 2 inches of water weekly during the growing season. Water deeply and slowly, until the soil is just moist but not saturated. Additionally, spread a 2-inch layer of organic mulch around the tree to help retain water in the soil. Avoid overwatering, which can cause root rot. During dry periods, provide supplemental watering when needed.

sunlight

The red horse chestnut (Aesculus carnea) plant species prefers a bright, sunny location and plenty of direct sunlight. During the spring and summer months, it should get between 4-6 hours of direct sunlight every day in order to thrive and produce blossoms. It is also important for the plant to receive indirect light on the other hours of the day. During the colder winter months it can tolerate a little less direct sunlight and still do well.

pruning

Red Horse Chestnut should be pruned in late winter before new spring growth appears. Pruning involves selectively removing branches at the nodes just above the buds to maintain a desired shape or size. Take care not to remove too much material from the shrub, as it can damage the plant and cause it to become sparse or unattractive. Generally, it's best to remove no more than about 1/3 of the total number of branches each year. Make sure to prune any dead, damaged, crossing or diseased branches first, followed by any overly long shoots that don't fit the desired shape of the shrub. Regular pruning helps Red Horse Chestnut maintain its shape and size over time.

Season

Fall
Winter
Spring
Summer
Sep
Oct
Nov
Dec
Jan
Feb
Mar
Apr
May
Jun
Jul
Aug
Harvest Fruit

The harvesting season for Aesculus carnea typically begins in late summer, usually in August or September.

Starts Flowering

Aesculus carnea typically starts flowering in April.

Harvest Fruit

The harvesting season for Aesculus carnea typically begins in late summer, usually in August or September.

Hardiness Map