Aesculus x carnea
Common Name(s):
Previously known as:
- Aesculus rubicunda
- Phonetic Spelling
- ES-kew-lus kar-NEE-a
- This plant has medium severity poison characteristics.
- See below
- Description
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Aesculus x carnea, or Red Horsechestnut, is a deciduous shade tree in the Sapindaceae family (and was formerly listed in the Hippocastanaceae family). It is a hybrid between the larger A. hippocastanum and the smaller A. pavia and probably originated in Europe in 1812. The genus name, Aesculus, comes from the Latin describing an oak that bears edible acorns. The species name, carnea, means flesh colored or deep pink and refers to the color of the flowers. Although this is a hybrid, new plants will come true from seed.
The flowers of the Red Horse Chestnut (pink or red depending on cultivar) are the main attraction of this medium sized tree. After the flowers bloom, they are followed by the seed pods, which can be messy and may be a drawback of this tree in the landscape. However, in the right location such as a large residential lawn, park, city parkway, or large parking median with good drainage, it can be a striking specimen shade tree. Initially, the tree has a pyramidal shape, but after 5 to 7 years, it matures into a dense rounded form. The tree grows best in moist acidic fertile soils, but will tolerate average soils with good drainage. Minimal pruning is required, but if it is pruned, make sure that the bark does not crack with sudden exposure to the sun. Once established, this tree is difficult to transplant due to its large taproot.
Diseases, Insects and Other Plant Problems:
Disease is less of a problem than with most horse chestnuts but it may develop powdery mildew causing early leaf drop. Dry conditions cause leaf scorch and, although it is more drought tolerant than most Aesculus, it does not thrive in drought conditions. Leaf blotch can be a significant problem. Bagworms, Japanese beetles and borers are infrequent but potentially troublesome. In general, this tree has better disease resistance and its foliage is less apt to depreciate as the growing season progresses than is the case with A. hippocastanum
- See this plant in the following landscape:
- Cultivars / Varieties:
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- 'Briotii'
Resistant to leaf blotch. Dark rosy red flowers with yellow throats. - 'Fort McNair'
Resistant to leaf blotch. Dark green foliage. Flowers reddish-pink with yellow throats. - 'O'Neil's Red'
Rarely available, deep red flowers in foot-long panicles. - 'Rosea'
- 'Briotii'
- 'Briotii', 'Fort McNair', 'O'Neil's Red', 'Rosea'
- Tags:
- Cultivars / Varieties:
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- 'Briotii'
Resistant to leaf blotch. Dark rosy red flowers with yellow throats. - 'Fort McNair'
Resistant to leaf blotch. Dark green foliage. Flowers reddish-pink with yellow throats. - 'O'Neil's Red'
Rarely available, deep red flowers in foot-long panicles. - 'Rosea'
- 'Briotii'
- 'Briotii', 'Fort McNair', 'O'Neil's Red', 'Rosea'
- Tags:
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Attributes:
- Genus:
- Aesculus
- Species:
- x carnea
- Family:
- Sapindaceae
- Life Cycle:
- Woody
- Recommended Propagation Strategy:
- Grafting
- Seed
- Country Or Region Of Origin:
- Europe
- Distribution:
- throughout Europe and the United States
- Wildlife Value:
- bees and hummingbirds
- Particularly Resistant To (Insects/Diseases/Other Problems):
- This plant is more drought tolerant than most Aesculus
- Edibility:
- The nut is rich in saponins, which though poisonous, are poorly absorbed by the human body. Saponins are quite bitter and can be removed by carefully leaching the seed or flour in running water or thorough cooking, and perhaps changing the cooking water. However, it is not advisable to eat large quantities of food that contain saponins.
- Dimensions:
- Height: 30 ft. 0 in. - 40 ft. 0 in.
- Width: 25 ft. 0 in. - 35 ft. 0 in.
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Whole Plant Traits:
- Plant Type:
- Perennial
- Tree
- Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
- Deciduous
- Habit/Form:
- Dense
- Pyramidal
- Rounded
- Growth Rate:
- Slow
- Maintenance:
- Medium
- Texture:
- Coarse
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Cultural Conditions:
- Light:
- Full sun (6 or more hours of direct sunlight a day)
- Partial Shade (Direct sunlight only part of the day, 2-6 hours)
- Soil Texture:
- High Organic Matter
- Soil pH:
- Acid (<6.0)
- Alkaline (>8.0)
- Neutral (6.0-8.0)
- Soil Drainage:
- Good Drainage
- Moist
- Available Space To Plant:
- 24-60 feet
- NC Region:
- Mountains
- Piedmont
- USDA Plant Hardiness Zone:
- 4a, 4b, 5a, 5b, 6a, 6b, 7a, 7b, 8a, 8b, 9a, 9b
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Fruit:
- Fruit Color:
- Brown/Copper
- Display/Harvest Time:
- Fall
- Fruit Type:
- Capsule
- Nut
- Fruit Description:
- The Red Horse Chestnut has a prickly seed pod containing 2 to 3 glossy brown 1 to 3 inch nuts in capsules that are poisonous.
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Flowers:
- Flower Color:
- Gold/Yellow
- Pink
- Red/Burgundy
- Flower Inflorescence:
- Panicle
- Flower Value To Gardener:
- Showy
- Flower Bloom Time:
- Spring
- Flower Shape:
- Funnel
- Flower Size:
- > 6 inches
- Flower Description:
- Eight inch panicles of pink or red cone-shaped flowers with yellow throats appear in mid-spring among dark green leaves. The flowers attract bees and hummingbirds.
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Leaves:
- Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
- Deciduous
- Leaf Color:
- Green
- Leaf Feel:
- Smooth
- Leaf Value To Gardener:
- Showy
- Deciduous Leaf Fall Color:
- Brown/Copper
- Gold/Yellow
- Leaf Type:
- Compound (Pinnately , Bipinnately, Palmately)
- Leaf Arrangement:
- Opposite
- Leaf Shape:
- Oblanceolate
- Leaf Margin:
- Lobed
- Serrate
- Hairs Present:
- No
- Leaf Length:
- 3-6 inches
- Leaf Description:
- Palmately compound dark green, 4 to 8 inch leaves with 5 to 7 lobes; no appreciable fall color. The leaves have a red mid-rib. Leaves are covered with coppery colored hairs in early spring and look very interesting as they unfold.
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Bark:
- Bark Color:
- Dark Brown
- Dark Gray
- Surface/Attachment:
- Scaly
- Bark Plate Shape:
- Round
- Bark Description:
- The gray-brown bark remains smooth for years, eventually developing small fissures with rounded plates.
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Stem:
- Stem Color:
- Brown/Copper
- Stem Is Aromatic:
- No
- Stem Bud Scales:
- Enclosed in more than 2 scales
- Stem Cross Section:
- Oval
- Stem Leaf Scar Shape:
- C-shaped, Cresent shaped
- Stem Lenticels:
- Conspicuous
- Stem Surface:
- Smooth (glabrous)
- Stem Description:
- Main stems and lateral stems are thick stem coming off the trunk and provide a course texture in winter. Young stems are green and may have a copper coating from the buds in early spring.
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Landscape:
- Landscape Theme:
- Pollinator Garden
- Design Feature:
- Flowering Tree
- Shade Tree
- Specimen
- Attracts:
- Bees
- Hummingbirds
- Small Mammals
- Resistance To Challenges:
- Deer
- Problems:
- Messy
- Problem for Cats
- Problem for Dogs
- Problem for Horses
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Poisonous to Humans:
- Poison Severity:
- Medium
- Poison Symptoms:
- Causes gastrointestinal disturbances. Severe vomiting and diarrhea, depression or excitement, dilated pupils, coma, convulsions.
- Poison Toxic Principle:
- Aesculin (a glycosidic saponin), other saponins
- Causes Contact Dermatitis:
- No
- Poison Part:
- Fruits