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Grown In The UK.
Established 1987.
UK Mainland.*
The genus was named by the Swedish botanist Carl Linnaeus (1707-1778) as Aesculus was the Roman name for an edible acorn. Notably, the seeds are not edible and are in fact toxic if they are consumed when raw. Humans have found a way of cleaning the seeds so that they are no longer toxic and then cooking them, but many animals have been poisoned by ingesting the seeds. Humans do not tend to go to the trouble of eating the seeds, and they are more commonly used for playing conkers. The conkers are made from the fallen autumn seeds which are removed from their spikey outer shell, and then attached to string through a drilled hole in the middle of the conker. The object of the game is to 'conquer' the other player by smashing their conker.
The trees within the genus generally grow to be tall and strong, with upright branches and masses of large leaves. The flowers are also highly attractive and grow in panicles. The trees are a great choice for planting in a larger garden and they will grow to become a real feature of any outdoor space.
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Aesculus hippocastanum
Horse Chestnut Tree
Common Name: Horse ChestnutLatin Name: Aesculus hippocastanumSoil: Most soil typesPosition: Full sun or partial shadeFlowering period/colour: May to June/Large whiteHardiness: Fully hardyHeight and spread in 20 years: 9m/4mSpecial features: Conkers form in prickly outer casings.Aesculus hippocastanum is a very large specimen tree with an abundance of attractive qualities. It will grow in any soil and is ideal for large gardens and public spaces, such as parks. This deciduous tree is commonly known as the 'Horse Chestnut' tree and it has wonderful white scented flowers at the end of spring, running into early summer, when it is definitely at its best. In autumn the flowers are followed by masses of conkers inside their spiny shells.
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Aesculus x carnea Briotii
Red Horse Chestnut Tree
Common Name: Red Horse Chestnut TreeLatin Name: Aesculus x carnea 'Briotii'Soil: Most soil typesPosition: Full sun or partial shade.Flowering period/colour: May/ Large RedHardiness: Fully hardyEventual height/spread: 15m/10mSpecial features: conkers form in prickly outer casings.The Aesculus x carnea 'Briotii' is a very large deciduous tree with handsome leaves that turn yellow in autumn. Upright heads of red flowers appear during May that later form smooth-coated 'conker' fruits encased in a prickly outer casing; these fall in the autumn. This slow-growing tree is very useful for large gardens and parks.
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