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Carpinus betulus (Hornbeam)

Beginner
skill rating
1 hour care
per year
25m
Max height
20m
Max spread
20-50 years
To maturity

Plant details

Botanical name

Carpinus betulus

Other names

Hornbeam

Genus

Carpinus Carpinus

Species

C. betulus - C. betulus is a hardy and sturdy deciduous tree with an upright, triangular shape and mid-green leaves turning yellow and orange in autumn.


Carpinus betulus is: Deciduous

Tree shape

Irregular, Spreading

Awards

RHS AGM (Award of Garden Merit)

Flower

Light green in Spring

Foliage

Light green in Spring; Green in Summer; Yellow in Autumn

How to care

Watch out for

Specific pests

Aphids , Caterpillars Aphids , Caterpillars

Coral spot , Powdery mildew Coral spot , Powdery mildew

General care

Propagation methods

Grafting, Softwood cuttings

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Where to grow

Carpinus betulus (Hornbeam) will reach a height of 25m and a spread of 20m after 20-50 years.

Suggested uses

Architectural, Foliage only, Hedging/Screens, Low Maintenance

Cultivation

Plant in any soil. Prefers a sunny position. Ensure space to grow to full size.

Soil type

Chalky, Clay, Loamy, Sandy (will tolerate most soil types)

Soil drainage

Moist but well-drained, Well-drained

Soil pH

Acid, Alkaline, Neutral

Light

Full Sun, Partial Shade

Aspect

North, South, East, West

Exposure

Exposed, Sheltered

Hardiness

Hardy (H4)

Companion plants

Galanthus nivalis
Galanthus nivalis (Common snowdrop)
Galanthus 'Bertram Anderson'
Galanthus 'Bertram Anderson' (Snowdrop 'Bertram Anderson')
Galanthus nivalis f. pleniflorus 'Bagpuize Virginia'
Galanthus nivalis f. pleniflorus 'Bagpuize Virginia' (Snowdrop 'Bagpuize Virginia')

Botanical name

Carpinus betulus

Other names

Hornbeam

Genus

Carpinus Carpinus

Species

C. betulus - C. betulus is a hardy and sturdy deciduous tree with an upright, triangular shape and mid-green leaves turning yellow and orange in autumn.

Foliage

Deciduous

Tree shape

Irregular, Spreading

Awards

RHS AGM (Award of Garden Merit)

Colour

Flower

Light green in Spring

Foliage

Light green in Spring; Green in Summer; Yellow in Autumn

How to care

Watch out for

Specific pests

Aphids , Caterpillars

Specific diseases

Coral spot , Powdery mildew

General care

Propagation methods

Grafting, Softwood cuttings

Monthly care advice

Where to grow

Carpinus betulus (Hornbeam) will reach a height of 25m and a spread of 20m after 20-50 years.

Suggested uses

Architectural, Foliage only, Hedging/Screens, Low Maintenance

Cultivation

Plant in any soil. Prefers a sunny position. Ensure space to grow to full size.

Soil type

Chalky, Clay, Loamy, Sandy (will tolerate most soil types)

Soil drainage

Moist but well-drained, Well-drained

Soil pH

Acid, Alkaline, Neutral

Light

Full Sun, Partial Shade

Aspect

North, South, East, West

Exposure

Exposed, Sheltered

Hardiness

Hardy (H4)

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This plant likes... Garden match
Soil types: Chalky, Clay, Loamy, Sandy (will tolerate most soil types) Tell us...
Soil drainage: Moist but well-drained, Well-drained Tell us...
Soil pH: Acid, Alkaline, Neutral Tell us...
Light: Full Sun, Partial Shade Tell us...
Aspect: North, South, East, West Tell us...
Exposure: Exposed, Sheltered Tell us...
Hardiness: Hardy (H4) Tell us...

COMPANION PLANTS

Galanthus nivalis
Galanthus nivalis (Common snowdrop)
Galanthus 'Bertram Anderson'
Galanthus 'Bertram Anderson' (Snowdrop 'Bertram Anderson')
Galanthus nivalis f. pleniflorus 'Bagpuize Virginia'
Galanthus nivalis f. pleniflorus 'Bagpuize Virginia' (Snowdrop 'Bagpuize Virginia')

DISCUSS THIS PLANT

Hornbeam (Carpinus betulus

We have a clay soil garden, prone to waterlogging. We want to plant a row of pleached hornbeams to form a screen from our neighbours. We are told they tolerate clay, but how do they tolerate water,… read more

Carpinus betulus

Grown as a tree, hornbeam is only suitable for large gardens. The rarely seen hawfinch is fond of its seeds, and the leaves are the food plant of many moths. read more

There are 7 active discussions about Carpinus betulus (Hornbeam)

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ARTICLES WITH THIS PLANT

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View all 45 articles


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