Painted buckeye
Aesculus sylvatica
Last reviewed: August 2026
Light
part shade
Water
medium
Size
72"–180" H × 72"–180" W
Bloom
Apr, May
Native to
AL, GA, NC, SC and 2 more states
Pollinators
bees, hummingbirds
Before you buy
Your city may pay you to plant this
Cities and water utilities offer rebates for replacing lawn with native and water-wise plants. We track 431 programs across 44 states, each with a link to the provider and the date we last checked it.
Find rebates in your areaA multi-stemmed understory shrub or small tree with palmate leaves and upright spikes of pale yellow to cream flowers in spring, followed by smooth brown seed capsules. Often forms loose colonial thickets in shaded woods.
Wildlife value
Spring flower spikes are visited by early-season bees and hummingbirds.
Common questions
- How much sun does Painted buckeye need?
- Painted buckeye grows best in part shade conditions.
- When does Painted buckeye bloom?
- Painted buckeye blooms in April and May.
- Where is Painted buckeye native?
- Painted buckeye (Aesculus sylvatica) is native to AL, GA, NC, SC and 2 more states, per the World Checklist of Vascular Plants (Kew).
- What pollinators does Painted buckeye attract?
- Painted buckeye draws bees and hummingbirds.
Native range data from the World Checklist of Vascular Plants (Kew). Pollinator and host plant associations compiled from GBIF, iNaturalist, and published ecological literature.
Ready to grow Painted buckeye? Add it to your garden in Pollinator Patch to track it and get season-by-season care guidance.
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