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Native Plant Society of Texas

Red Buckeye

Aesculus pavia var. pavia

Sapindaceae (Soapberry Family)

Scarlet Buckeye, Southern Buckeye, Firecracker Plant

Plant Ecoregion Distribution Map

Native Habitat: Woodland
East Central Texas Plains, Edwards Plateau, Gulf Coast Prairies and Marshes, Texas Blackland Prairies, Western Gulf Coastal Plain

Maintenance

Beautiful in spring but leaves drop at end of summer so place where it will show in spring and be hidden in summer. Prune for shape if desired

Comments

Handsome shrub or small tree with showy 6-10″ clusters of deep red or yellow tube-shaped flowers in early spring. Leaves rich, glossy dark green. Flowers are a nectar source that attracts hummingbirds.

Growth Form

Shrub

Height

10 to
15 ft

Spread

6 to
12 ft

Soil Type(s)

Sand, Loam, Clay, Well Drained

Light Requirement

Part Shade

Water Requirement

Medium

Leaf Retention

Deciduous

Lifespan

Perennial

Bloom Color

Red, Yellow

Bloom Season

Spring

Seasonal Interest

Nectar

Wildlife Benefit

Butterflies, Hummingbirds, Bees

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Previous Scientific Name(s): Synonym(s): Aesculus austrina, Aesculus discolor, Aesculus discolor var. mollis, Aesculus pavia var. discolor, Aesculus splendens

References

1) Griffith, Bryce, Omernick & Rodgers (2007). 2) https://www.wildflower.org/plants/result.php?id_plant=AEPAP. 3) http://bonap.net/TDC/Image/Map?taxonType=Species&taxonId=30536&locationType=County&mapType=Normal. 4) Wasowski and Wasowski, Native Texas Plants Landscaping Region by Region, 1991, pg. 278. 5) https://www.itis.gov/servlet/SingleRpt/SingleRpt?search_topic=TSN&search_value=182118#n) ull, 6) Native and Adapted Landscape Plants, City of Austin and Texas A&M, 2014.