With showy red flowers and a tropical feel to its leaves, red buckeye (Aesculus pavia) is a nice native addition to ecological landscapes in the southeastern U.S. (search online for "bonap county aesculus" to see maps showing its native range). Early fall is the time to start keeping an eye out for its seed capsules turning brown and curling open as the seeds must be planted or stored in moist media (i.e., cocopeat) in the refrigerator right away. (There are lots of directions for planting: search online for "how to propagate aesculus pavia seeds"). They need deep narrow pots (see the Nature's Action Guide blogpost R-pots: Repurposing plastic containers for growing plants.)
Red buckeye is adventive here in southeastern Pennsylvania, but cold doesn't seem to be the limiting factor as it's reportedly hardy to Zone 5. Lucky are the native plant gardeners and landscapers from Texas east to Florida and north to Virginia to have this beauty in your plant palette!
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