Aesculus parviflora

For multi-season color and tough-as-nails garden vigor, there's nothing to equal our native Bottlebrush Buckeye. This intrepid shrub regales you with long summer flower wands that butterflies find irresistible, shiny autumn nuts, brilliant yellow fall foliage, and an enviable carefree disposition in sun or shade.

Bottlebrush Buckeye is multistemmed, with masses of flowering stems that burst into white blooms in early to midsummer. The flowers last for weeks, pleasing all the pollinators in the garden. Held well above the large, showy foliage, they really command the spotlight during their season.

However, it's hard to mourn their passing when autumn brings so many delights to this shrub. The leaves turn pure, clear yellow, and the famous buckeyes -- shiny, hard nuts -- arise all over this shrub. What a long show they produce, with no attention whatsoever needed from you!

Boasting native vigor, Bottlebrush Buckeye stands up to heat, humidity, cold, poor soil, wet soil, and even deer. It's a good choice in a sloping garden or along a bank where soil erosion is a concern. In other words, it's a cure for a wide range of garden ills -- and it looks so good doing it!

Expect this deciduous shrub to reach up to 10 feet tall and wide. As it matures it will acquire a more horizontal, tiered look for its branches, which stands out nicely in winter. Prepare to be wowed by this native treasure! Zones 4-9.