Aesculus hippocastanum Wisselink

Aesculus hippocastanum 'Wisselink' has one of the most beautiful foliage ever seen in horse chestnuts. In spring, 'Wisselink' presents a very pale foliage, creamy green with silver reflections veined with dark green. A magnificent reticulated pattern that fades throughout the season, while the summer yellow appears. This variety also charms with its pretty clusters of white flowers. A deciduous small tree to be highlighted, for example against a dark background of conifers that would provide the shade it needs.

Aesculus hippocastaneum 'Wisselink' was discovered by William Wisselink in the Netherlands. This small tree belongs to the Sapindaceae family, formerly the Hippocastanaceae family. The species, contrary to what its common name of Horse Chestnut suggests, 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 25 m with a spread of 15 to 20 m.

The 'Wisselink' horse chestnut grows slowly, but eventually reaches a height of about 15 m with a spread of approximately 12 m. Its trunk and branches are covered with a brown to reddish, initially smooth bark, becoming grey and fissured with age. The crown is dense and broadly conical. The deciduous foliage forms in spring and falls in autumn. In winter, large reddish buds covered with a shiny resin can be seen on the branches. The foliage consists of large leaves divided into 5 to 7 leaflets with finely toothed edges, strongly veined with dark green. Their colour changes from spring to summer. Flowering occurs in May-June, on already leafy branches. It takes the form of upright pyramidal clusters called panicles, 15-20 cm long, composed of numerous small flowers about 1 cm wide, which are close to white. After pollination by insects, the characteristic green, rounded, and bristly fruits form. Each fruit can measure up to 4 cm in diameter and contains only one large seed.

The 'Wisselink' Horse Chestnut stands out as a specimen tree in a park or large garden. As its magnificent foliage is sensitive to scorching sun, it is best placed in an east-facing position or near a tree like the Henry's lime that will provide shade in the afternoon during summer. To not overshadow its unique beauty, it is best to avoid associating it with flowering shrubs or variegated foliage. However, Japanese forest grass or black Ophiopogon, for example, can be planted at its base.