Aesculus (Carnea Group) 'Pendula'

Aesculus (Carnea Group) 'Pendula', commonly known as the Weeping Red Horse Chestnut, is a cultivar of the Aesculus × carnea hybrid within the Aesculus genus. This particular cultivar is distinguished by its weeping habit, meaning its branches cascade downwards, creating a pendulous or drooping effect.

The 'Pendula' cultivar retains the characteristics of the Aesculus × carnea parentage, including its resistance to leaf blotch (a fungal disease common in horse chestnuts) and its characteristic pink to reddish-pink flower panicles that appear in spring. The leaves are palmate, typically comprising five leaflets.

Due to its weeping form, Aesculus (Carnea Group) 'Pendula' is typically grafted onto a standard rootstock, creating a tree with a distinct trunk and a weeping canopy. This form makes it a popular ornamental tree for specimen planting in parks, large gardens, and open spaces, where its unique shape can be showcased.

The tree typically grows to a smaller size than the standard Aesculus × carnea, reaching a mature height dependent on the height of the graft. Its spread is also considerable due to the cascading branches.

Cultivation requirements are similar to other horse chestnuts, including a preference for well-drained soil and full sun to partial shade. While relatively disease-resistant, monitoring for pests and diseases is still recommended. Propagation is typically achieved through grafting to maintain the weeping characteristic, as seed propagation will not reliably produce offspring with the same pendulous habit.