Red buckeye for birds in Georgia
Blooms right as Ruby-throated Hummingbirds return. Native to Georgia, where it feeds or shelters 3 backyard bird species.
- Scientific name
- Aesculus pavia
- Native status
- Native in Georgia
- Hardiness zones
- USDA 7a–9a
- What birds get from it
- nectar
- Georgia birds supported
- 3
- Nesting birds among them
- 2
Growing conditions in Georgia
Humid subtropical, with cooler mountains in the north and a warm coastal plain in the south.
Hot, humid summers; bluebirds can raise three broods but boxes in full sun overheat.
Georgia birds that use Red buckeye
Summer breeders (2)
Winter visitors (1)
Mild winters bring irregular purple finch and pine-siskin irruptions from the north.
Nesting season it supports in Georgia
Plants that feed adults and host caterpillars matter most while nestlings are in the nest. Local nesting windows for birds that use Red buckeye:
- Ruby-throated Hummingbird — April–August
- Orchard Oriole — April–June
Native plants to pair with Red buckeye in Georgia
Scarlet late-summer spikes; a hummingbird magnet in moist soil.
Tubular flowers for hummingbirds and seed heads for finches.
Frequently asked
Is Red buckeye native to Georgia?
Yes. Red buckeye (Aesculus pavia) is recorded as native in Georgia. Georgia spans USDA 7a–9a.
What birds does Red buckeye attract in Georgia?
In Georgia, Red buckeye supports 3 backyard birds, including Ruby-throated Hummingbird, Orchard Oriole, Rufous Hummingbird.
Does Red buckeye help nesting birds in Georgia?
2 of those birds nest in Georgia: Ruby-throated Hummingbird (April–August), Orchard Oriole (April–June).
Which winter birds use Red buckeye in Georgia?
Winter visitors Rufous Hummingbird use it in Georgia during the cold months.
Sources
- USDA PLANTS Database (native distribution)
- VASCAN (Canadian native distribution)
- eBird region overview and bar charts — Georgia
- USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map (2023)
- Audubon Native Plants Database
Timing reflects typical patterns for the region as a whole; local dates vary with elevation and year. Check the linked eBird bar charts for your county.