Aesculus hippocastanum Hampton Court Gold

The Aesculus hippocastanum 'Hampton Court Gold' is a variety of common horse chestnut tree whose leaves emerge as a tender yellow in spring, turn yellowish-green in summer, and then golden yellow in autumn. The tree produces white flowers tinged with yellow, arranged in upright panicles, followed by spiky fruits containing large, shiny brown seeds called "chestnuts". Smaller than the classic horse chestnut tree, this deciduous tree is still reserved for ornamental use in parks and large gardens.

The Aesculus hippocastanum 'Hampton Court Gold' is a horticultural selection. Although its name suggests a connection to the famous palace and gardens of Hampton Court in England, it is unclear whether this cultivar was discovered or selected there. It is a deciduous tree belonging to the Sapindaceae family, formerly known as the Hippocastanaceae family. The species, contrary to its common name of "horse chestnut tree," is native to Macedonia, including northern Greece, Albania, and southern Bulgaria. It is a forest species. In the wild, the common horse chestnut tree can reach a height of 25m with a spread of 15 to 20m.

The 'Hampton Court Gold' horse chestnut tree forms a trunk topped with a wide, rounded crown. Its trunk and branches are covered with a brown to reddish bark, initially smooth, becoming grey and fissured with age. A 25-year-old specimen will reach a height of 10 to 12m, with a crown spread of 6 to 8m. The deciduous foliage emerges 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 divided into 5 to 7 rounded, dentate leaflets, light yellow in spring, turning light green in summer. Flowering occurs in May-June on already leafed branches. It takes the form of upright, pyramidal clusters called thyrses, 20cm long, composed of numerous small flowers, 1cm wide, with prominent stamens, melliferous and nectariferous. Their corolla is white with a yellow spot at the base. After pollination by insects, the characteristic fruits of the horse chestnut tree appear as spiky husks containing brown seeds, commonly known as "chestnuts".

The 'Hampton Court Gold' horse chestnut tree is perfect for creating remarkable focal points in parks and large gardens. Planting it as a solitary specimen highlights its silhouette and flowering, while its golden foliage illuminates groves and hedges. Pair it with trees with purple foliage, such as the Dawyck Purple beech (Fagus sylvatica), columnar in shape, or the Crimson King maple (Acer platanoides).