Carpinus betulus (Hornbeam) |
Position: Full sun to part shade. Stands exposed sites
Soil: Not fussy- any soil including clay or chalk as long as not waterlogged
Rate of growth: 20-40cm per year
Height: As a tree to 30m tall, but can be kept at 1- 5m with pruning
Spread: As a tree to 20m wide, but can be kept at 1- 3m
Flowers: Catkins of yellow-green flowers in spring
Fruit: Green winged fruits
As a multi-stemmed specimen, hornbeam (Carpinus betulus) becomes a most impressive tree; smooth-barked, pale grey rather sculptural fluted trunks holding aloft a rounded canopy of soft green foliage, just right for underplanting with ferns, snowdrops and other lovers of summer shade. In spring, the new shoots of this UK native glow vivid green while in autumn they turn yellow before falling, a few coppery leaves retained through winter clinging to the fine branches. Carpinus betulus is a tough customer too, standing heat, some drought when established, and winter cold in a range of different situations. To make matters better still, it can even be trimmed to keep it mushroom-shaped and within bounds. This plant holds an Award of Garden Merit (AGM) from the Royal Horticultural Society (RHS) which is given only to the best garden plants.
Dimensions | N/A |
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Root Type | Rootball |
Description / Size | 200 to 250cm Multistem, 250 to 300cm Multistem, 300 to 350cm Multistem |