Maryland Near Native Shrubs for Summer Blooms
Aesculus parviflora – Bottlebrush Buckeye
A great summer-flowering shrub for shady areas, Aesculus parviflora, commonly called Bottlebrush Buckeye forms thickets of dense, suckering, deciduous, multi-stemmed growth typically 6-12′ tall. Grows easily in average, evenly moist, well-drained soils in part shade to full shade. Prefers rich, moist loams. Intolerant of dry soils, particularly in the early years before its root system becomes well established. Pruning is usually unnecessary.
 Features palmate green leaves (5-7 leaflets) and erect, showy, cylindrical panicles (to 12″ long) of tubular white flowers with conspicuous red anthers and pinkish filaments. Mid-summer bloom can be spectacular. Flowers give way to glossy inedible, pear-shaped nuts (buckeyes) encased in husks. Foliage turns yellow in autumn. Plant as a single specimen, or mass in a woodland border
We do like to note that while this shrub is not strictly native to Maryland, native ranges of plants do naturally shift with climate change and animal migration.
Common Name: Bottlebrush Buckeye
Type: Deciduous shrub
Height: 8.00 to 12.00 feet
Spread: 8.00 to 15.00 feet
Bloom Time: June to July
Bloom Description: White with red anthers
Sun: Part shade to full shade
Water: Medium
Maintenance: Low
Suggested Use: Naturalize, Rain Garden
Flower: Showy
Leaf: Good Fall
Attracts: Butterflies
Fruit: Showy
Tolerate: Rabbit, Deer, Erosion, Wet Soil
(Information from Missouri Botanical Garden)
Bottlebrush Buckeye Flowers
Bottlebrush Buckeye Leaves, new growth