We have grown Aesculus parviflora (the bottlebrush buckeye) for a few years, and it really is a fabulous plant for all seasons. Unlike other Aesculus it is a much more modest sized plant growing to a maximum of between 3 and 5 metres, although it wont be allowed to reach that size in our garden. Its a native from
southeastern United States found growing in fairly open woodlands. So is ideally suited to be used as an understory shrub.Once in leaf it resembles the traditional leaf form expected from Aesculus, and although not tropical nor exotic also passes a reasonable resemblance to the schefflera family. It blooms in the mid summer, although we have only had a couple of fairly small flowers
In spring when the young leaves are growing is probably the most exciting time for me with this plant, heaven! Unlike many of the more exotic plants in our garden this is quite an old introduction being introduced to British horticulture by John Fraser a well known botanist following a trip to the American South in 1785.
By the summer the large palmate leaves give a lovely exotic effect before autumn arrives and you get the final display of the year.
This shrub is well worth looking out for especially if you don't have the space for a large Aesculus or want the effect of a Schefflera with a hardier plant.
Gaz
