Aesculus pavia

Aesculus pavia (22/05/2016, Kew Gardens, London)

Position: Full sun to partial shade

Flowering period: Spring

Soil: Moist, well drained

Eventual Height: 8m

Eventual Spread: 8m

Hardiness: 4b, 5a, 5b, 6a, 6b, 7a, 7b, 8a, 8b, 9a

Family: Sapindaceae

Aesculus pavia Flower (22/05/2016, Kew Gardens, London)

Aesculus pavia is a small deciduous tree or a large shrub with a rounded habit and often multi stemmed. Its dark green leaves are palmately compound with five leaflets, up to 16cm long and 15cm across. Its leaflets are elliptic with serrulate margins, up to 15cm long and 5cm broad. Its grey/ light brown bark is smooth and flaky. Its hermaphroditic red flowers are tubular, up to 3cm long and are produced in erect panicles which are up to 25cm long. Its fruit is a light brown round smooth capsule, are up to 4cm across and contain up to 3 large seed.

Aesculus pavia Leaf (22/05/2016, Kew Gardens, London)

Aesculus pavia, commonly known as Red Buckeye or Firecracker Plant, is native to south and east USA. In its native habitat it grow at forest margins and clearings.

The etymological root of the binomial name Aesculus is from the ancient Latin name for the Horse Chestnut (Aesculus hippocastanum). Pavia is named after Peter Paaw (1564 – 1617), a Dutch botanist.

Aesculus pavia Bark (22/05/2016, Kew Gardens, London)

The landscape architect may find Aesculus pavia useful as a small flowering specimen tree. It should be noted the seeds of this tree may be potentially toxic if ingested.

Ecologically, Aesculus pavia flowers are attractive to pollinating insects, including bees.

Aesculus pavia prefers moist, well-drained calcareous soils. It tolerates most pH of soil.

Aesculus pavia requires little maintenance. Dead or diseased material may be removed in early spring.



Landscape Architecture

Acer opalus subsp. obtusatum

Acer opalus subsp. obtusatum (15/08/2015, Kew Gardens, London)

Position: Full sun to partial shade

Flowering period: Mid spring to early summer

Soil: Moist, well drained

Eventual Height: 20m

Eventual Spread: 20m

Hardiness: 5a, 5b, 6a, 6b, 7a, 7b, 8a, 8b, 9a

Family: Sapindaceae

Acer opalus subsp. obtusatum is a medium sized deciduous tree with a rounded habit. Its mid green glossy leaves are palmate with 5 shallow lobes and sinuate margins, up to 13cm long and 16cm across. Its leaves turn pink/ yellow before they fall in autumn. Its bark is grey/ brown and plated, becoming deeply fissured with age. Its green/ yellow flowers are small, hang down in bunches and appear before its leaves. Its fruit is a pair of winged samara which are up to 3.5cm long.

Acer opalus subsp. obtusatum Leaf (15/08/2015, Kew Gardens, London)

Acer opalus subsp. obtusatum, commonly known as the Bosnian Maple, is native to south east Europe, including Italy. Acer opalus subsp. obtusatum is synonymous with Acer obtusatum.

The etymological root of the binomial name Acer is from the Latin meaning ‘sharp’, in reference to the classical roman use of the genus to make spears. Opalus is derived from the Latin opulus, meaning ‘unripe’. Obtusatum is derived from the Latin obtusus meaning ‘to blunt’

The landscape architect may find Acer opalus subsp. obtusatum useful as an attractive parkland tree, with its early flowers and attractive autumn leaf colour.

Acer opalus subsp. obtusatum Bark (15/08/2015, Kew Gardens, London)

Ecologically, Acer opalus subsp. obtusatum seeds are attractive to some mammals and birds.

Acer opalus subsp. obtusatum prefers moist, fertile, well-drained soils. It tolerates most pH of soil. It will not tolerate drought conditions.

Acer opalus subsp. obtusatum requires little maintenance.

Landscape Architecture

Acer miyabei

Acer miyabei (15/05/2015, Kew Gardens, London)

Position: Full sun to partial shade

Flowering period: Early spring

Soil: Moist, well drained

Eventual Height: 25m

Eventual Spread: 15m

Hardiness: 4a, 4b, 5a, 5b, 6a, 6b, 7a, 7b, 8a, 8b, 9a

Family: Sapindaceae

Acer miyabei is a deciduous, medium sized tree with a dome shaped habit. Its mid green leaves are palmate, with up to 5 acutely pointed lobes, a sinuate margin, up to 12cm long and 12cm across. Its leaves turn a golden yellow in autumn before they fall. Its bark is grey/ brown and deeply fissured. Its flowers are inconspicuous, held in small clusters. Its fruit is a pair of winged samaras, each being up to 3cm long and ripening in autumn.

Acer miyabei Leaf (15/05/2015, Kew Gardens, London)

Acer miyabei,  commonly known as Miyabe Maple, Miyabe’s Maple or in Japanese: クロビイタヤ (Kurobiitaya), is native to Japan. In its native habitat it grows in woodlands and floodplains beside rivers and streams.

The etymological root of the binomial name Acer is from the classical Latin name for the Maple. Miyabei is named for Dr. Kingo Miyabe (1860-1951), a botanist and professor at Hokkaido University.

The landscape architect may find Acer miyabei useful as a specimen tree with attractive autumn leaf colour, particularly in a sheltered position in moist conditions.

Acer miyabei Bark (15/05/2015, Kew Gardens, London)

Ecologically, Acer miyabei seeds provide food for some mammals and birds.

Acer miyabei prefers moist, well-drained soils. It tolerates most pH of soil, although it prefers neutral to acid soil. It will not tolerate dry soils.

Acer miyabei requires little maintenance. Necessary pruning should be carried out during its dormant season.

Landscape Architecture