Aesculus indica ‘Sydney Pearce’

The Indian horse chestnut cultivar Aesculus indica ‘Sydney Pearce’ in full bloom at the head of the drive leading from the Thompson Rd entrance is a spectacular sight.  The slender leaflets slowly change from coppery brown to shiny dark green while the large upright flowers develop - panicles of white blossoms with yellow blazes turning pink after pollination by bees, covering the dense dome of this shapely tree.  
The flowers arrive later than the common horse chestnut and last longer.  The leaf miner which disfigures horse chestnuts has not so far affected this species.
Autumn colour is usually insignificant but in 2022 this tree made a lovely display with rosy brown hues.
The first A. indica to be grown in this country was brought from the NW Himalayas 1851 by Sir Henry Bunbury and grown in his garden at Barton Hall, Suffolk.  This cultivar was selected at Kew in 1928 and named in honour of a former curator.  It is still rarely seen.