Mortellaro's Nursery
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Aesculus pavia - Red Buckeye from Mortellaros
Red Buckeye
Aesculus pavia
Red Buckeye (Aesculus pavia) is a small, deciduous tree or large shrub native to Texas, prized for its brilliant red spring flowers that attract hummingbirds. This ornamental tree is a standout in the landscape, offering early-season color, dense foliage, and a compact growth habit. It is an excellent choice for wildlife gardens, understory plantings, and shaded landscapes where its seasonal interest and adaptability make it a valuable addition.
Red Buckeye produces clusters of tubular red flowers in early spring, just as new leaves emerge. These flowers are a favorite of hummingbirds and pollinators, making it a key plant for wildlife-friendly gardens. Its palmate leaves create a lush appearance, but the tree often drops its foliage in late summer during drought conditions, a natural adaptation to Texas' hot climate. In fall, it produces large, glossy brown seed capsules, which contain toxic seeds that should not be ingested.
This Texas native prefers partial shade to full sun and thrives in well-draining, sandy, or loamy soils. It tolerates both acidic and alkaline conditions but does not perform well in poorly drained or compacted soils. Once established, it is drought-tolerant but benefits from occasional watering in extended dry periods. It is deer-resistant, though the seeds and young shoots can be toxic if consumed by livestock or pets.
Red Buckeye grows to a mature height of 15-20 feet with a spread of 10-15 feet, making it an ideal choice for small yards, mixed borders, or naturalized woodland areas. When planting multiple trees, spacing of 10-15 feet apart ensures healthy growth. Compared to larger buckeye species, this one remains more compact and manageable, fitting well in a variety of landscapes.
It is sometimes mistaken for Mexican Buckeye (Ungnadia speciosa), which is native to Texas but unrelated. While both have compound leaves and pink spring flowers, Mexican Buckeye belongs to a completely different genus and family, and has lighter bark, pink flowers instead of red, and different seed pod structures. Red Buckeye's distinct early red blooms and coarser leaves set it apart in close comparison.
In USDA Zones 5-9, Red Buckeye is cold-hardy but benefits from mulching around the base in colder regions to protect roots from freezes. While it is low-maintenance, occasional pruning may be needed to remove dead or crossing branches and maintain its shape. Its tendency to drop leaves in summer is normal and does not indicate poor health.
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Texas Native |
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Hummingbird attractor |
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Drought-tolerant understory plant |
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Height:15-20 ft |
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Spread:10-15 ft |
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Spacing:10-15 ft |
USDA Hardiness Zone 5b
Characteristics & Attributes
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Deer Tolerance
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Exposure
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Habit
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Soil pH Preference
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Water Needs
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Texas Native
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Tolerates Poor Drainage
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Toxic to Pets
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