Photo is from iNaturalist by user Kent Ozmen

Photo is from iNaturalist by user TZ Fitch

Photo is from FANN Scott Zona

Photo is from FANN Mary Keim

Phonetic Spelling ES-kew-lus PAH-vee-ah Plant Type: Slow growing, shrub to small/ medium tree Plant Height: 15-30’ Plant Spread: 12-20’ Sunlight Preference: Full shade to full sun Soil Preference: Moist soils that are dark in color, unsuitable for pure sand. Uses in Landscaping: Accent tree on right ways/aprons, small tree to plant under larger shade trees. Central plant in a garden. How and When to Plant: Plant at least 10 feet from structures and plant in winter or fall when leaves have all fallen off to prevent bleeding out from the roots. Water for a full year until established. Upkeep: Can spread via seed so pulling may need to be done. Prune in winter to shape as needed. Charismatic/ID Features: Flowers: Red and tubular and show up in the spring and are a favorite to hummingbirds. Leaves: Opposite of one another and palmately compound leaf. Leaf is composed of 5 leaflets that all start from the same point. Leaf edges have fine serrations. Not a lot of things are opposite and palmately compound. Bark: Smooth and splotchy grey in color.