Buckeye, Red, Bare Root

Red Buckeye (Aesculus pavia)

Red Buckeye is a striking native shrub or small tree known for its vibrant red, tubular flowers that bloom in early spring, attracting hummingbirds and other pollinators. With its rich green foliage and showy blooms, Red Buckeye adds ornamental value and wildlife support to naturalized areas, woodland edges, and pollinator gardens. This hardy, deciduous plant is adaptable and thrives in a variety of conditions, making it a perfect choice for understory plantings, shade gardens, and moist landscapes.

Key Characteristics

• Hummingbird Magnet: The red, tubular flowers of Red Buckeye bloom in clusters in early spring and are highly attractive to hummingbirds and butterflies. This early-season nectar source provides essential food for pollinators as they emerge from winter.

• Compact, Ornamental Form: Red Buckeye is a small tree or large shrub, typically growing 10-20 feet tall. Its lush green leaves and distinctive, eye-catching flowers make it an ideal choice for adding color and texture to shaded or woodland landscapes.

• Adaptable and Shade-Tolerant: This buckeye thrives in part shade to full shade and can tolerate a range of soil types, provided they are well-drained and moist. It’s an excellent understory plant that works well in mixed borders, woodland edges, and naturalized gardens.

• Early Spring Blooms: One of the first shrubs to bloom in spring, Red Buckeye brings seasonal interest to gardens with its vivid red flowers. Its foliage emerges early and remains lush through summer, then drops in early fall, allowing sunlight to reach other plants beneath it.

• Low Maintenance and Wildlife-Friendly: Red Buckeye is deer resistant and generally pest-free, making it an easy-care addition to landscapes. Its seeds are enjoyed by squirrels, and its branching structure provides nesting habitat for small birds.

Product Details

• Native Range: Southeastern and Central United States
• Plant Life Cycle: Deciduous shrub or small tree
• Sun Requirements: Part shade to full shade
• Soil Requirements: Moist, well-drained soils; tolerates loamy, sandy, or slightly acidic soils
• Mature Height: 10-20 feet
• Bloom Time: Early spring
• Bloom Color: Red
• USDA Hardiness Zones: 4-8

Red Buckeye’s vibrant blooms, compact form, and wildlife value make it an excellent choice for naturalized areas, pollinator gardens, and shade gardens where it brings early spring color and supports native wildlife.