Why Plant Bottlebrush Buckeye?
WOW. If you don't know about Bottlebrush Buckeye yet, you’re in for a treat! This bodacious tree brings big-time drama to your landscape with bold foliage and magnificent white bottlebrush blooms in summer. The flower clusters can reach 12—sometimes even 18—inches tall! What’s more, hummingbirds adore the blossoms, and they’ll be constant visitors when the blooms offer up their nectar in early to mid-summer. Butterflies (especially swallowtails) relish the flowers, too. Celebrate our beautiful native flora and fauna with this striking addition to your outdoor living space.
It looks like a tender tropical plant, but it’s actually native to the U.S. Bottlebrush Buckeye is found in the wild in the Deep South—primarily in Alabama. It’s surprisingly cold-hardy, however, and has been planted in gardens much further north with success. This flashy plant was prized in Victorian times, when big, bold plants were all the rage. And it does get big—both tall and wide—in time. Give it room to run if you are able to, and it will become a showstopper.
How to use Bottlebrush Buckeye in the landscape?
Fabulous flowers aren’t the end of the show! Bottlebrush Buckeye also boasts handsome fall foliage. This species holds its leaves in good condition throughout the season much better than other Buckeyes do, and when frosty days arrive, they transform themselves. The deep green leaves become glowing gold.
Planting Zones
Hardiness Zone: 4-8
How To Plant Bottlebrush Buckeye
Bottlebrush Buckeye is an adaptable plant, though it performs best where it can receive a steady supply of water in the summer. It will thrive in part shade and can handle full sun as well. In deep shade it will grow, but it won’t flower heavily there. Be aware that this species is slow to get started, so be patient. It is totally worth the investment of time! FYI: Buckeye leaves, twigs, and fruit are poisonous if ingested; don’t plant them in areas where livestock will graze or pets may nibble.
How To Water
For the first growing year, it is important to water your tree slowly, deeply, and thoroughly every two to three days. Bottlebrush Buckeye trees are sensitive to drought, so if drought conditions occur, be sure to water at that time.
How To Fertilize
Fertilize your new Bottlebrush Buckeye tree when planting. We recommend using the Bower & Branch Elements Plant Food at that time.
How To Prune
Bottlebrush Buckeye trees flower on old wood, so you should prune your tree after it flowers. Remove any dead or damaged branching.
How Does Shipping Work?
Bower & Branch Trees, the real BIG trees, don’t fit in a box! Our big trees, sizes XL and bigger, require expert delivery and care, that means our extra-large trees are shipped on Bower & Branch trucks. We are the only ones who know how to ship our big and bigger trees and plants with tender loving care. We deliver your trees and plants directly to you. Ask Bower & Branch about planting services – we'd be happy to assist in installation.
*For Big trees and Shrubs, Size XL and bigger: Review our Seasonal Shipping Timelines and Policy here.
Your trees and plants are grown across the United States at various Bower & Branch Growers. Depending on your location, your plant orders may be shipped from various locations. Please expect orders with multiple items to be delivered over a number of days as a result. Orders made up of numerous items or selections will not arrive at your home on the same day.
Shipping Delays:
From time to time, Bower & Branch Growers may determine to delay order shipment based on various factors for plant health. Weather in your region, as well as, where your plants are grown, is always considered when shipping. Extreme weather conditions may delay some or all of your order. Bower & Branch allows our Growers to make final shipping decisions based solely to benefit your trees and plants’ health and success.
How Does Sizing Work?
The size of our trees have nothing to do with the container size like you may find elsewhere–big doesn't mean just height - it’s also vigor, age, and overall health. Other online retailers are going to tell you that a plant is a seven gallon, that means nothing to your tree or plant (or you.)
Our trees for sale online are graded on large, x-large, and even bigger sizes. This is because our trees are sized by their age—the higher the letter, the more mature the tree. The age determines the trees’ overall height, size of the trunk and the overall branch density.
All of these characteristics are what you should be looking for when choosing a tree for immediate impact and instant curb appeal. Our extra-large tree and plant sizes are sure to wow you and your neighbors!
See the size guides below.
