{"product_id":"autumn-splendor-buckeye","title":"Autumn Splendor Buckeye","description":"\u003ch1\u003eA Bold Flowering Shade Tree With Fireworks Fall Color\u003c\/h1\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAutumn Splendor Buckeye (\u003cem\u003eAesculus\u003c\/em\u003e × \u003cem\u003earnoldiana\u003c\/em\u003e 'Autumn Splendor') is a standout flowering shade tree that delivers on every front — dramatic, tropical-looking palmate leaves, showy upright panicles of yellow-and-red flowers in early summer, and a finale of brilliant orange-to-red fall color that lights up the yard. Best of all, its foliage is notably scorch-resistant, staying clean and green through summer heat where ordinary horse chestnuts brown and tatter. Hardy to zone 3 and largely ignored by deer, it's a tough, handsome choice for Minnesota. Whether you're planting a bold specimen in Edina, a flowering shade tree in Woodbury, or a fall-color showpiece in Maple Grove, Autumn Splendor brings drama from spring through fall.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eAutumn Splendor Buckeye Plant Details\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003ctable\u003e\n\u003ctbody\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eAttribute\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eDetail\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eScientific Name\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e\n\u003cem\u003eAesculus\u003c\/em\u003e × \u003cem\u003earnoldiana\u003c\/em\u003e 'Autumn Splendor'\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eCommon Names\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eAutumn Splendor Buckeye, Hybrid Buckeye, Hybrid Horse Chestnut\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eMature Height\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e30–40 feet\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eMature Width\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e25–35 feet\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eGrowth Rate\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eModerate\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eSun\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eFull sun (6+ hours) for the best flowering and fall color\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eWater\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eModerate. Prefers consistent moisture; appreciates a deep soak in dry spells.\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eUSDA Zones\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e3–7 (Twin Cities is zone 4b–5a) — very hardy across the metro\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eSoil\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eAdaptable. Tolerates Minnesota clay-loam; prefers deep, well-drained soil enriched with compost.\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eFlowers\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eUpright panicles of yellow flowers tinged red, late spring to early summer\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eFoliage\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eDeciduous — bold palmate compound leaves, scorch-resistant, turning brilliant orange-red in fall\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eWinter Hardiness\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eReliable to -40°F once established\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eDeer Resistance\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eGood — buckeyes are generally avoided by deer\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003c\/tbody\u003e\n\u003c\/table\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eAutumn Splendor Buckeye Uses in Minnesota Landscapes\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eBold Flowering Shade Specimen\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eWith its big palmate leaves and showy flower panicles, Autumn Splendor makes a dramatic single specimen on a front lawn or in an open bed. At 30–40 feet it provides real shade while staying scaled for a typical suburban yard in Edina or Plymouth.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eScorch-Resistant Summer Foliage\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe biggest knock on ordinary horse chestnuts is ugly midsummer leaf scorch. Autumn Splendor was selected to resist it, holding clean, lush foliage right through the hot months — a meaningful upgrade for a Minnesota landscape that wants the bold-leaf look without the browning.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eSpectacular Fall Color and Deer Resistance\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe fall display is the showstopper: the whole canopy turns a brilliant orange-red. And because deer generally leave buckeyes alone, it's a smart choice for high-pressure western suburbs like Minnetonka and Chanhassen where many trees get browsed.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eBest Time to Plant Autumn Splendor Buckeye in Minnesota\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eBuckeye is deciduous, so you have two good planting windows in the Twin Cities:\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eSpring (late April–May)\u003c\/strong\u003e, once the ground has thawed, is excellent — the tree gets the full growing season to establish before its first winter.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eFall (September–mid-October)\u003c\/strong\u003e also works well. Plant at least six weeks before the ground freezes so roots can settle in. Avoid mid-summer planting when heat stress is highest, and never plant into frozen ground.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eHow to Plant Autumn Splendor Buckeye\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003col\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eDig wide, not deep — the hole should be 2–3 times the root ball width but only as deep as the ball itself. In heavy clay, dig even wider.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eCheck drainage — if water pools in the hole, break through any clay hardpan or mound-plant slightly to keep roots out of standing water.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eBackfill with the native soil mixed with 20–30% compost. Don't create a pure-compost \"container\" in clay.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eSet the tree so the top of the root ball sits at or just above grade. Allow room for the 25–35 foot mature spread.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eBuild a 3–4 inch water basin around the root zone to direct water to the roots; flatten it before winter.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eMulch with 2–3 inches of shredded bark or wood chips, kept 2 inches from the trunk, to conserve moisture and keep roots cool.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ol\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eWatering Autumn Splendor Buckeye in Minnesota\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eFirst Year Watering Schedule\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eWeeks 1–2: water every 1–2 days, deep and slow. Month 1–2: every 3–4 days. Month 3 through fall: every 5–7 days during active growth, less when rainfall is adequate. Consistent moisture helps prevent any leaf stress in the first season. Stop watering 2–3 weeks before the ground freezes in late October so the tree can harden off for winter.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eAfter Year One\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eEstablished Autumn Splendor Buckeye prefers steady moisture and benefits from a deep soak during extended dry spells (2+ weeks with no rain). Water deeply to 6–8 inches every 7–14 days during drought, and keep a mulch layer to hold moisture and keep roots cool.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWill Autumn Splendor Buckeye survive a Minnesota winter?\u003c\/strong\u003e Yes — it's hardy to about -40°F and well adapted to the Twin Cities.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eHow is it better than a regular horse chestnut?\u003c\/strong\u003e Its foliage resists the unsightly leaf scorch and blotch that disfigure ordinary horse chestnuts by midsummer, so it stays clean and attractive — and it finishes with far better fall color.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eAre the nuts edible?\u003c\/strong\u003e No — like all buckeyes and horse chestnuts, the seeds are not edible and are toxic if ingested, so keep them away from children and pets. They're handsome to look at but should not be eaten.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eDo deer leave it alone?\u003c\/strong\u003e Generally yes — buckeyes are among the more deer-resistant flowering trees, which makes Autumn Splendor a good pick for deer-heavy neighborhoods.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eYou May Also Like\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eKentucky Coffeetree\u003c\/strong\u003e — another bold-textured, tough, deer-resistant shade tree.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eShowy Mountain Ash\u003c\/strong\u003e — a native flowering tree with white blooms and bird-friendly berries.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eAutumn Gold Ginkgo\u003c\/strong\u003e — a bulletproof shade tree with spectacular gold fall color.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eEastern Redbud (Minnesota Strain)\u003c\/strong\u003e — a cold-hardy native small tree with vivid spring flowers.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003c!-- tt-enriched --\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eHow Many Autumn Splendor Buckeye Do I Need?\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAutumn Splendor is a specimen tree — one with 25–30 feet of clearance makes a complete front-yard statement of flowers, bold foliage, and fall fire. On larger properties, a pair spaced 30 feet apart frames a drive or view beautifully, and a loose trio at 25–30 foot spacing builds a small flowering-shade grove that colors in unison each fall.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eAutumn Splendor Buckeye Season-by-Season in Minnesota\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eSpring:\u003c\/strong\u003e Big palmate leaves unfold early with a lush, tropical look, followed by upright candles of bloom forming at the branch tips.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eSummer:\u003c\/strong\u003e Showy yellow flower panicles tinged red open in early summer; the scorch-resistant canopy stays clean and green through the heat.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eFall:\u003c\/strong\u003e The fireworks — brilliant orange-to-red color sweeps the entire crown, among the best of any flowering shade tree.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eWinter:\u003c\/strong\u003e Stout branches and big resting buds give the bare tree a strong, sculptural outline.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eAt a Glance\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e✔ Pollinator-Friendly   ✔ Deer-Resistant\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003ePlant It With\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003ca href=\"\/products\/kentucky-coffeetree\"\u003eKentucky Coffeetree\u003c\/a\u003e — another bold-textured, deer-resistant native shade tree.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003ca href=\"\/products\/autumn-gold-ginkgo\"\u003eAutumn Gold Ginkgo\u003c\/a\u003e — pure gold fall color to play against the buckeye's orange-red.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003ca href=\"\/products\/northern-catalpa\"\u003eNorthern Catalpa\u003c\/a\u003e — a bold native with showy summer flowers and the same tropical-leaf drama.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003ca href=\"\/products\/american-yellowwood\"\u003eAmerican Yellowwood\u003c\/a\u003e — a fragrant early-summer-flowering shade tree to round out the bloom sequence.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eIs Autumn Splendor Buckeye Right for Your Yard?\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAutumn Splendor thrives in full sun with deep, compost-enriched, well-drained Twin Cities soil and steady moisture — a perfect bold specimen for suburban lawns, especially in deer-heavy neighborhoods. It's not a fit for hot, droughty sites with no irrigation, and skip it if falling (inedible, toxic) buckeye nuts would be a problem where kids or pets play.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Three Timbers Minnesota","offers":[{"title":"1.75\"BB","offer_id":54260818280753,"sku":"GT-T0794","price":439.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true},{"title":"2\"BB","offer_id":54260818313521,"sku":"GT-T0795","price":480.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true},{"title":"2.5\"BB","offer_id":54260818346289,"sku":"GT-T0796","price":521.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0986\/0694\/0465\/files\/autumn-splendor-buckeye.jpg?v=1779426695","url":"https:\/\/threetimbersmn.com\/products\/autumn-splendor-buckeye","provider":"Three Timbers Minnesota","version":"1.0","type":"link"}