Red horsechestnut
Aesculus carnea · Sapindaceae
⚠️ Fruits, écorce et feuilles contiennent saponines et composés toxiques. Ingestion : troubles gastro-intestinaux chez chiens/chats/enfants; danger modéré.
The gardener's calendar
In autumn, ease off feeding and take the chance to clean up around red horsechestnut and prepare for winter.
ID card
- Foliage
- Deciduous
- Flowering
- May to June, pale pink to salmon flowers
- Mature size
- 8 m tall, rounded and regular habit
- Growth
- Moderate
- Hardiness
- Very hardy, down to -15 °C
- Origin
- Horticultural hybrid (Aesculus pavia × Aesculus hippocastanum)
- Soil type
- Well-drained, fertile, lime-tolerant
✓ Taxonomy verifiedSource: AI estimate · hardiness: reliability high.
Expert tips
The key tip
Once established, the pink-flowered horse chestnut needs no maintenance, but for the first three years, mulch generously to keep the soil moist. Avoid planting in compacted or shallow soil.
The common mistake
Young trees are abandoned without water the summer after planting, with the mistaken belief that a large adult tree can fend for itself.
The pro's trick
Prune lightly in February to maintain a nice shape: remove crossing branches and those too low.
Care
Exposure
The pink-flowered horse chestnut appreciates full sun for generous flowering. However, it tolerates partial shade without any problems. Plant it in an open location, sheltered from strong winds that could damage its young branches.
Watering
Water regularly in the first year after planting to ensure good establishment. Afterwards, water during prolonged dry periods, especially in summer. A layer of mulch at the base helps retain moisture and moderate soil temperature fluctuations.
Soil and planting
Choose well-drained, fertile soil. The horse chestnut tolerates chalky soils, unlike the common white horse chestnut. Avoid permanently waterlogged ground which could promote root rot.
Pruning and trimming
Pruning is minimal: simply remove dead or crossing branches in late winter. Preserve its attractive natural shape by removing shoots at the base. Avoid severe pruning which heals poorly.
Fertilisation
An application of well-rotted compost in spring is generally sufficient. Established trees only need light enrichment every two or three years to maintain their vigour.
Diseases and pests
Watch for leaf miners that create galleries. Abnormal honeydew or scale insects may occasionally appear. Encourage good air circulation and clear fallen debris to prevent fungal problems.
Did you know?
The pink-flowered horse chestnut is a horticultural hybrid created in 19th-century Europe, prized for its beautiful pink-tinged flowers contrasting with emerald foliage. Unlike the common white horse chestnut which has been plagued by pests since the 1990s, this hybrid offers remarkable robustness and resistance. Its large smooth seeds, though not producing true edible chestnuts, continue to fascinate children who collect them in autumn.
Where to buy it
Best planted in autumn so the roots settle in before summer, or in early spring once the frost has passed. Pick a plant with healthy foliage and roots that are not exposed. Best time: March, October, November.
Add this plant to my garden →Plants from the same family
- Japanese mapleAcer palmatum
- Sycamore mapleAcer pseudoplatanus
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- Marronnier dindeAesculus hippocastanum
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Tips generated and checked by Viridia — adapt them to your local climate.