Aesculus hippocastanum Franek

The Aesculus hippocastanum 'Franek' is a Horse Chestnut tree that shines with light under its variegated golden foliage, which has a finer texture than its parent. This variegated form also produces delicate upright white flowers in spring and spiky fruits that fall in late summer. A tree that will delight collectors!

The Aesculus hippocastanum 'Franek' belongs to the Sapindaceae family, formerly the Hippocastanaceae family. Contrary to what its common name of Horse Chestnut suggests, the species is native to Macedonia, a region that includes northern Greece, Albania, and southern Bulgaria. It is a forest species. In nature, the common horse chestnut can reach a height of 25m with a spread of 15 to 20m.

The 'Franek' horse chestnut was discovered in Poland by Mr Franciszek Pniewski at the beginning of the century. It is a deciduous tree with an upright habit and relatively slow growth. At the age of 12, good fertile soil will reach a height of 5 to 7m with a spread of 3 to 4m. Eventually, its dimensions will approach those of the classic common horse chestnut. Its trunk and branches are covered with a brown to reddish bark, initially smooth, becoming grey and fissured with age. The crown is fairly regular and dense. The deciduous foliage appears in spring and falls in autumn. Large reddish buds covered with shiny resin can be seen on the branches in winter. The foliage consists of large leaves measuring 20 to 40cm long, divided into 5 to 7 relatively thin leaflets with toothed edges, randomly variegated with yellow and green, carried on a long petiole. Flowering occurs in May-June on branches that are already leafed out. It takes the form of upright pyramidal clusters called thyrses, measuring 15 to 20cm long and composed of small white flowers 1cm wide. After pollination by insects, the characteristic fruits form round and spiky. Each fruit can measure up to 4cm in diameter and contains only one large seed. Its root system is deep and powerful.

The Horse Chestnut 'Franek' stands out as a prominent specimen. It is very hardy and can tolerate deep, moist, and chalky soil. Collectors of unusual trees will also appreciate the Norway Maple 'Drummondi', the Variegated Beech, or the Dove Tree 'Lady Sunshine'.

Tip: This 'Franek' variety produces branches that revert to the original type, with entirely green leaves. It is advisable to remove them.