Native Pollinator Deer-Resistant

Late-blooming Bottlebrush Buckeye

Aesculus parviflora var. serotina

$23.00 Sold out
USDA Zones 4–9 Full Sun, Part Shade, and Full Shade Matures 10–15 Feet

Aesculus parviflora var. serotina, the late bottlebrush buckeye, carries white flower spires into August, weeks after the species has finished.

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A wide-spreading, suckering, multi-stemmed deciduous shrub of slow, deliberate growth, Aesculus parviflora var. serotina carries the same upright white bottlebrush flowers as the bottlebrush buckeye, but opens them two to three weeks later, well into the heat of summer. The overall shape is irregular and almost stratified, the branches layering horizontally, and the medium to dark green leaves turn a clear yellow in fall.

The late bloom is the point. Where the straight species flowers in early July, var. serotina extends the bottlebrush season into August, a gift of nectar for hummingbirds, swallowtails, and native bees when little else in the shade garden offers any. A vigorous grower that may reach a larger size than the species, the late bottlebrush buckeye suits shrub borders and large mass plantings, and seldom needs pruning, though an old colony can be cut to the ground to renew.

Give var. serotina room to form a broad colony in moist, well-drained, organic soil, in part shade or, with steady moisture, more sun. Paired with the earlier-blooming species, a planting can carry six weeks of white bottlebrush spikes across July and August. The seeds, like those of every buckeye, are poisonous if eaten, so site with that in mind near paths and play areas.

Will this plant thrive in your zone?

Plant Profile
At a glance
Hardiness
USDA Zones 4–9
Sun
Full Sun, Part Shade, Full Shade
Soil
Well-drained, Moist
Mature size
Height 10–15 Feet · Spread 12–15 Feet
Growth rate
Moderate
Seasonality
Deciduous
Design Notes

Give the late bottlebrush buckeye room to form a broad colony at the back of a shaded border, along a woodland edge, or in a large mass planting. Paired with the earlier-flowering species, a planting can sustain roughly six weeks of white bottlebrush spires across July and August, prime nectar for hummingbirds and swallowtails. Bold foliage reads well against ferns and fine-textured companions.

Flower, Fruit & Foliage

White bottlebrush panicles, mid to late summer

Flowers. Erect, cylindrical panicles up to 18 inches long, opening two to three weeks later than the straight species, from mid into late summer. Each tubular white flower carries red to pink stamens that arch well beyond the petals, giving the spike a two-toned, painterly look against the cloud of white. A valuable late-season nectar source for hummingbirds, swallowtails, and native bees. Foliage. Palmately compound leaves of five to seven leaflets, medium to dark green, turning clear yellow in fall. Habit. A wide-spreading, suckering shrub, slowly forming broad colonies, larger in time than the species. Seeds are poisonous if eaten.

Care

Read our full care guide

Light. Part to full shade with protection from hot afternoon sun; tolerates more sun where the soil stays consistently moist. Happiest at a woodland edge or beneath tall trees.

Soil. Rich, loamy, well-drained soil kept evenly moist, slightly acidic to neutral; amend sandy or poor ground with compost or leaf mold. Tolerates clay but resents standing water.

Water. Keep evenly moist through establishment, the first two to three years; settled plants are moderately drought tolerant but bloom best with deep watering in dry spells. Mulch to hold moisture.

Pruning. Minimal; shape after flowering if needed, and remove suckers only to contain the spread.

Hardiness. USDA zones 4 to 9.

Here’s a closer look at how we produce our plants

From rooting to shipping, our top priority is ensuring you receive healthy, thriving plants for your garden’s success.

Woodlanders Growing Process

Because most of our plants are grown from rooted cuttings — alongside seed, air layering, and grafting chosen for each variety — you receive a stronger, true-to-type plant that establishes quickly in your garden.

Sustainable Growing Practices

Raised on organic soil blends and eco-friendly pest management — never harsh chemicals — your plant arrives healthy for your garden, your family, and the pollinators they feed.

Supporting Local Biodiversity

Every purchase gives back. We donate to the Aiken Arboretum and support local wildlife conservation, so growing your garden helps protect the wider ecosystem too.

At Woodlanders, we are committed to quality.
Grown in Aiken, South Carolina
At Woodlanders, we are committed to quality.

All our plant material is carefully propagated, grown, and nurtured at our humble nursery in Aiken, South Carolina.

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Healthy plants, ready to thrive
Success, made simple
Healthy plants, ready to thrive

Your plant arrives carefully packed and ready to settle in. Unpack them promptly, give them a day or two to acclimate, then plant following the notes we include — that’s all it takes. Clear care guidance comes with every order, so success is the easy part.

Read the care guide
Frequently Asked Questions
What to expect upon delivery

All our plants are sold in 1-gallon sizes, though the height of each plant can vary depending on its growth rate and seasonality, typically ranging from 1/2 to 2.5 feet.

Each plant is carefully packaged with its roots enclosed in a secure plastic bag containing moist soil, forming a compact root ball. To ensure safe transport, the box is padded with recycled newspaper, providing both stability and eco-friendly protection from weather during shipping.

What is your return policy?

Review our full return policy information on our SHIPPING AND RETURNS POLICY page.

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We offer 35 different payment methods including major providers like Mastercard, Visa, PayPal, American Express and Diners as well as many different local payment methods including Klarna, iDEAL, AliPay, Sofort, giropay, and many more.

Can I make changes to my order after it’s been placed?

At Woodlanders, we strive to fulfill orders as quickly as possible. Therefore, we can only accommodate changes to your order within the first 24 hours after it has been placed. These changes include adding or removing products and modifying the delivery address. If you need to make any changes or if there has been a mistake with your order information, please reach out to us promptly via our CONTACT page with your order number for the quickest resolution.

Your satisfaction is our priority, and we appreciate your understanding and cooperation.