Aesculus parviflora

Aesculus parviflora, also known as the ornamental chestnut, white buckeye or bottlebrush buckeye, is a bush with bronze, then dark green, and finally yellow foliage, adorned with white paniculate flowers with a feathery appearance in late summer.

Originally from the southeastern United States, this small 3 m (9.8 ft) tall shrubby chestnut is perfectly hardy. Slow-growing, it has a spreading, rounded, compact habit and forms a suckering, bushy shrub, much wider than it is tall, with reddish-brown branches starting from the ground. Its deciduous leaves, divided into ovate, dentate leaflets, 15 cm (5.9 in) long, emerge bronze before turning green and beautifully colouring to yellow in autumn. The pure white spike-like flowers, with stamens longer than the corolla, give a feathery appearance and appear late in July or August. The smooth fruits, 3 cm (1.2 in) long, then follow.

Aesculus parviflora grows in deep, moist, humus-bearing soil, preferably acidic, in a sunny or partly shaded position. Work the soil deeply before planting. Water and mulch to maintain soil moisture. Fertilise in spring. Prune in February by removing old stems at ground level.

Aesculus parviflora can be used as a standalone plant or in a border with perennials. Leave space all around as it can spread out. It will make a beautiful display when planted with a blue-flowered Hydrangea.