Physical description (paragraph):
Prairie Torch Hybrid Buckeye (Aesculus × ‘Prairie Torch’) is a handsome, medium-sized deciduous tree valued for its upright form and striking spring display. In late spring, it produces dense, upright panicles of deep rose-red to pinkish-red flowers that stand above the foliage like candles, attracting pollinators. The palmate leaves are glossy dark green through summer, casting moderate shade, and turn yellow to yellow-brown in fall. Its tidy habit, improved disease resistance, and reduced fruiting compared to common buckeyes make it well suited to landscape use.
- Size: Height: 25–35 ft (7.5–10.5 m). Spread: 20–30 ft (6–9 m). Form: Upright oval to rounded canopy. Growth rate: Moderate
- Light: Full sun to partial shade (best flowering in full sun)
- Soil: Moist, well-drained, fertile soil; adaptable to loam and clay
- Water: Moderate; keep evenly moist, especially when young
- Hardiness: USDA Zones 4–7
- Maintenance: Low; prune lightly in late winter to remove dead or crossing branches
- Pests/Diseases: Generally resistant to leaf scorch and leaf blotch compared to other buckeyes
- Uses: Specimen tree, lawns, parks, streetscapes, and pollinator-friendly landscapes