Aesculus Hippocastanum Pyramidalis

Aesculus Hippocastanum Pyramidalis is a stunning cultivar of Aesculus Hippocastanum, the Common Horse Chestnut. It’s also known as Columnar Horse Chestnut and suits those who love these unmistakable trees but don’t have enough room to grow them. 

Despite being naturalised in the UK for hundreds of years, the Common Horse Chestnut is native to Albania and the Greek borderlands. It was introduced here in 1895 and is now a familiar part of our park and field landscapes. Introduced 1895, the variety Aesculus Hippocastanum Pyramidalis is an unusual form with a broadly pyramid habit. In spring new foliage is sizable, with palmate, opposing leaves reaching 20cms across. The mid green summer shade turns yellowy-brown in autumn before falling with the frosts, but before this happens the much loved and showy springtime spikes of white flowers with small red centres rise above the foliage to attract pollinators. In late summer to early autumn these stunning blooms mature into conkers encased in spiky green cases. Aesculus Hippocastanum Pyramidalis does not produce as many as its parent tree, but there are enough for children to play with.

The Horse Chestnut Pyramidalis cultivar was bred to grow diagonally upward and create a narrower crown. It grows ovate and rarely wider than six metres. Its mature height will reach approximately ten metres in 10 years.

How Hardy Is Aesculus Hippocastanum Pyramidalis
Aesculus Hippocastanum Pyramidalis is completely hardy in all of the UK.

How To Use Aesculus Hippocastanum Pyramidalis
Due to its conical nature the Columnar Horse Chestnut will fit into more compact spaces that are suited to a slow-growing narrow tree. It is extremely attractive throughout the growing season and is best used as an ornamental display in the lawn or a large flower border where it will tolerate air pollution and gusty winds once established.

How To Care For Aesculus Hippocastanum Pyramidalis
Columnar Horse Chestnut is tolerant of almost all conditions but does prefer full sun or partial shade to produce the best flowers and conkers. Any soil condition or pH is sufficient for growth except water-logged areas. In spring a thick layer of organic mulch will boost younger specimens, and they will require watering in dry spells too. Columnar Horse Chestnut does not need pruning as it grows in a tidy, pyramidal shape, but remove any broken or crossed branches in winter once the leaves have fallen.

If you love the horse chestnut tree and its conkers but have a more compact space, this columnar variety is the perfect compromise. Aesculus Hippocastanum Pyramidalis requires little maintenance, looks stunning in flower and brings a great deal of pleasure to your home. If you only have room for one tree, make it this much-loved beauty.