1 named cultivar

‘Early Glow’Early Glow Ohio Buckeye

treeN. America Native

Ohio Buckeye

$185.00

The Story

Plant Bio

Aesculus glabra, Ohio buckeye, is a medium deciduous tree native to the central United States and into Canada, reaching twenty to forty feet with a rounded crown. Palmate leaves of five to seven leaflets emerge early in spring, upright panicles of yellow-green flowers follow, and prickly capsules split in autumn to reveal glossy brown seeds marked with a pale eye.

It leafs out earlier than almost any native tree and drops its leaves correspondingly early, often bare by September — a real consideration for a shade tree. Every part is toxic, particularly the seeds, and crushed foliage gives off a distinctly unpleasant smell, which is where the alternative name fetid buckeye comes from.

Uses & Benefits:

Early spring foliage, upright yellow-green flower panicles and distinctive glossy seeds.

Tolerates deer and rabbit browsing and a range of soils, and leafs out very early.

Flowers attract butterflies and early pollinators when little else is open.

Essentials

At a Glance

Plant Type

Tree

Height

360 inches

Width

360 inches

Light

Full Sun, Partial Sun

Zones

4, 5, 6, 7

Water

Moderate

Humidity

Moderate

Lifespan

Perennial

Native To

Central United States and Canada

Toxicity

Toxic if ingested

Marketplace

Where to Buy

Sooner Plant Farm

1+ Gal Pot

In Stock$185.00

Shipping costs Year-round shipping Free shipping

Planting

How to Grow

Plant in autumn or early spring in deep, moist soil.
Choose full sun to partial shade.
Give it twenty to forty feet of space.
Water through the first two seasons.
Site it away from patios; leaf drop is early and messy.
Prune only to remove dead or crossing limbs.

Pro Tip

Do not plant it where you want summer shade — it is often bare by early September, months ahead of other trees.

Keep It Thriving

Care Guide

Do

Plant in deep, moist soil 🌱
Give it room for a broad crown 🌳
Site away from patios and pools 🍂
Water while establishing 💧

Don't

Rely on it for late-summer shade ❌
Let children or livestock handle the seeds ❌
Plant in dry compacted soil ❌

Seasonal Care Calendar

Task	Jan	Feb	Mar	Apr	May	Jun	Jul	Aug	Sep	Oct	Nov	Dec
Monitor
Prune

Watch Out For

Pests & Diseases

Common Pests

Common Diseases

In the Garden

Landscape Uses & Companions

Landscape Uses

Shade tree for a large garden or parkNaturalised woodland plantingNative alternative to horse chestnut

Companion Plants

Eastern Redbud Flowering Dogwood Wild Ginger Christmas Fern Virginia Bluebells

Multiply

Propagation Methods

Good to Know

Common Questions

Ohio Buckeye questions

What zones can Ohio Buckeye grow in?

Ohio Buckeye is hardy in USDA Zones 4–7. Inside that range it survives winter in the ground; outside it, grow it as an annual or a container plant you protect.

Is Ohio Buckeye deer resistant?

Yes — Ohio Buckeye is rated deer-resistant. Deer typically pass it over, though extreme hunger can override any plant's defenses.

When does Ohio Buckeye bloom?

Ohio Buckeye typically blooms in mid-spring through late spring. Exact timing shifts a week or two with your zone — Sow's bloom calendar maps it to your garden.

Does Ohio Buckeye need full sun?

Ohio Buckeye does best in full sun to part shade. In hot climates, afternoon shade keeps blooms fresher longer.