Aesculus hippocastanum Franek
Aesculus hippocastanum Franek
Aesculus hippocastanum Franek
Horse Chestnut, Conker Tree
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This plant carries a 24 months recovery warranty
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We guarantee the quality of our plants for a full growing cycle, and will replace at our expense any plant that fails to recover under normal climatic and planting conditions.
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Description
The Aesculus hippocastanum 'Franek' is a Horse Chestnut tree that shines with light under its variegated golden foliage, which has a finer texture than its parent. This variegated form also produces delicate upright white flowers in spring and spiky fruits that fall in late summer. A tree that will delight collectors!
The Aesculus hippocastanum 'Franek' belongs to the Sapindaceae family, formerly the Hippocastanaceae family. Contrary to what its common name of Horse Chestnut suggests, the species is native to Macedonia, a region that includes northern Greece, Albania, and southern Bulgaria. It is a forest species. In nature, the common horse chestnut can reach a height of 25m with a spread of 15 to 20m.
The 'Franek' horse chestnut was discovered in Poland by Mr Franciszek Pniewski at the beginning of the century. It is a deciduous tree with an upright habit and relatively slow growth. At the age of 12, good fertile soil will reach a height of 5 to 7m with a spread of 3 to 4m. Eventually, its dimensions will approach those of the classic common horse chestnut. Its trunk and branches are covered with a brown to reddish bark, initially smooth, becoming grey and fissured with age. The crown is fairly regular and dense. The deciduous foliage appears in spring and falls in autumn. Large reddish buds covered with shiny resin can be seen on the branches in winter. The foliage consists of large leaves measuring 20 to 40cm long, divided into 5 to 7 relatively thin leaflets with toothed edges, randomly variegated with yellow and green, carried on a long petiole. Flowering occurs in May-June on branches that are already leafed out. It takes the form of upright pyramidal clusters called thyrses, measuring 15 to 20cm long and composed of small white flowers 1cm wide. After pollination by insects, the characteristic fruits form round and spiky. Each fruit can measure up to 4cm in diameter and contains only one large seed. Its root system is deep and powerful.
The Horse Chestnut 'Franek' stands out as a prominent specimen. It is very hardy and can tolerate deep, moist, and chalky soil. Collectors of unusual trees will also appreciate the Norway Maple 'Drummondi', the Variegated Beech, or the Dove Tree 'Lady Sunshine'.
Tip: This 'Franek' variety produces branches that revert to the original type, with entirely green leaves. It is advisable to remove them.
Plant habit
Flowering
Foliage
Planting and care
Horse Chestnut 'Franek' should be planted in ordinary, deep soil in spring or autumn, preferably relatively rich, slightly acidic, neutral or slightly chalky. Plant in a sunny but not hot or semi-shaded position in a spot that is well out of the way so that it can be seen. Water and mulch to keep the soil cool for young plants. Once well-rooted, it will be happy to be watered by rainshowers.
To limit pest attacks (rarely fatal), collect the leaves in autumn and dispose of them. Trapping male moths with a pheromone (funnel trap) limits attacks.
Planting period
Intended location
Care
Planting & care advice
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Hardiness is the lowest winter temperature a plant can endure without suffering serious damage or even dying. However, hardiness is affected by location (a sheltered area, such as a patio), protection (winter cover) and soil type (hardiness is improved by well-drained soil).
In temperate climates, pruning of spring-flowering shrubs (forsythia, spireas, etc.) should be done just after flowering.
Pruning of summer-flowering shrubs (Indian Lilac, Perovskia, etc.) can be done in winter or spring.
In cold regions as well as with frost-sensitive plants, avoid pruning too early when severe frosts may still occur.
The harvesting period indicated on our website applies to countries and regions in USDA zone 8 (France, England, Ireland, the Netherlands).
In colder areas (Scandinavia, Poland, Austria...) fruit and vegetable harvests are likely to be delayed by 3-4 weeks.
In warmer areas (Italy, Spain, Greece, etc.), harvesting will probably take place earlier, depending on weather conditions.
The sowing periods indicated on our website apply to countries and regions within USDA Zone 8 (France, UK, Ireland, Netherlands).
In colder areas (Scandinavia, Poland, Austria...), delay any outdoor sowing by 3-4 weeks, or sow under glass.
In warmer climes (Italy, Spain, Greece, etc.), bring outdoor sowing forward by a few weeks.
The planting period indicated on our website applies to regions in USDA Zone 9a (East Coast and Midlands: Dublin, Wexford, Waterford, Kilkenny, Portlaoise). It will vary depending on where you live:
- On the west coast and in the north-west (Galway, Limerick, Sligo, Donegal, Westport), delay planting by 1 to 2 weeks in spring and bring it forward by 1 to 2 weeks in autumn compared to the dates given, preferably choosing periods without strong winds.
- In the inland hills and plateaus (Wicklow Mountains, Macgillycuddy’s Reeks, Connemara, Killarney), it is best to plant in spring (April–May) or autumn (September–October), avoiding periods of waterlogged soil in winter and strong winds, which pose the main risk to newly planted trees in these areas.
The flowering period indicated on our website applies to regions in USDA Zone 9a, such as the East Coast and Midlands, including Dublin, Wexford, Waterford, Kilkenny and Portlaoise.
This will vary depending on where you live:
- On the west coast and in the northwest (Galway, Limerick, Sligo, Donegal and Westport), it will be delayed by one to two weeks compared to the given dates, due to stronger Atlantic winds and less spring sunshine.
- In the inland hills and plateaus (the Wicklow Mountains, the Macgillycuddy's Reeks, Connemara and Killarney), flowering will be delayed by two to three weeks. Flowering mainly occurs between May and July, with the limiting factors being less frost and more of the excessive humidity, strong winds and lack of sunshine that are characteristic of these areas.
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