Horse Chestnut
Aesculus hippocastanum
The children’s favourite because after its spires of white blossom the seeds develop into spiny green cases around the glossy brown chestnuts – conkers. Horse chestnuts also form fine specimen trees, and germinate readily from their conkers.
Collect these in Autumn and sow straight away, covering with their own depth of soil.
The seedlings need plenty of space to grow – and adult trees even more!
The pink flowered horse chestnut looks attractive but does not produce conkers.