Betula

The birches comprise of over 60 species of deciduous trees and shrubs, including many of which are suitable for the garden. Their main attraction is the stem colours which can range from shades of white through to pink, coppery reds and cinnamon, adding winter interest to the garden, ideally planting in groups of 3 or 5 for real impact. Their ultimate height can range from 25 m for the common Birch (Betula pendula) down to 4m for the weeping birch ( Betula Youngii). Below are the varieties we grow.

Betula albo-sinensis (Chinese Red Birch)

A widely pyramidal shaped tree hailing from the mountains of China, with many soft weeping reddish brown twigs, and oval pointed green leaves that turn golden yellow in Autumn. This tree’s main feature is its beautiful coppery pink bark, which will flake and peel at an early age.

Ultimate height 10m (32ft), Spread 6m (20ft).

Betula albo-sinensis ‘Septentrionalis’

A medium-sized tree with fine red-brown twigs and an upright open habit that becomes more cone-shaped as it matures. This is another birch noted for its glorious bark colour, which is orange-brown and flakes from a young age. As well as its distinctive peeling bark, another feature of this birch are the leaves which, being the longest of any birch, can get to 15cm.

Ultimate height 10m (32ft), Spread 4m (13ft).

Betula ‘Edinburgh’

A beautifully upright birch, with a vigorous growth habit. It produces yellow-brown male catkins in spring, and its glossy green leaves will provide a light dappled shade in the Summer. It makes a good feature tree, with stunning white bark.

Ultimate height 10m (32ft), Spread 3m (10ft).

Betula ermanii (Erman’s Birch)

A medium-sized tree, with a conically open crown. Bright green, heart-shaped leaves emerge early in Spring along with both male and female catkins; the leaves turn a golden yellow in the Autumn, and are early to fall. It can be effectively planted as a single specimen, or in groups, to show off its pinky-cream and white bark.

Ultimate height 20m (65ft), Spread 10m (32ft).

Betula ermanii ‘Grayswood Hill’

‘Grayswood Hill’ is a medium-sized cultivar of Erman’s Birch, with an open, slender habit, and fantastic peeling orange-cream bark on its trunk. The small heart-shaped leaves are pale glossy green and turn exciting shades of butter yellow in autumn before falling.

Ultimate height 18m (60ft), Spread 8m (26ft).

Betula nigra ‘Heritage’ (River Birch)

Betula nigra is an impressive and statuesque tree, producing a broadly pyramidal form as it ages. It grows rapidly into an average-sized, graceful tree with pendent branches. Its shaggy bark makes for brilliant year round interest in an array of pinky orange colours. This tree performs exceptionally well in wet soil, but will grow well in all but extremely dry areas.

Ultimate height 15m (49ft), Spread 10m (32ft).

Betula papyrifera (Paper Birch, Canoe Birch)

One of the larger species of Birch, with a conical habit and wide spreading branches that are slightly pendent. One of the most striking features of this tree is its bright white bark, developing when the tree reaches maturity, and peeling in large papery strips to reveal a pale orange under-bark. The coarsely toothed leaves are a dull green, with a lighter green underside, and turn to a very attractive golden yellow in Autumn.

Ultimate height 25m (82ft), Spread 12m (40ft).

Betula pendula (Silver Birch)

This British native is a large and vigorous birch that will grow well on most soils, and requires plenty of space. In Spring, diamond-shaped mid-green leaves appear on the upright branches, and at the same time yellow-brown male catkins hang from the tree. Autumn sees the leaves fade to yellow before falling. As this tree matures, the branches become more pendulous, and the trunk becomes deeply fissured. The ornamental silvery-white bark gives this tree interest all year round, and it looks particularly effective in winter.

Ultimate height 25m (82ft), Spread 12m (40ft).

Betula pendula ‘Fastigiata’ (Upright Silver Birch)

A columnar tree with upright, spirally twigs which creates a graceful winter silhouette. More suited to an urban garden than the common Silver Birch as it takes up very little lateral room in areas where space is at a premium. The leaves are dark green turning yellow in late autumn; the trunk is a peeling white, turning to silver-grey as the tree matures.

Ultimate height 15m (49ft), Spread 4m (13ft).

Betula pendula ‘Tristis’

A graceful, average-sized to tall tree with an upright crown and strongly drooping branches. The trunk is bright white and retains this colour into maturity when it also begins to peel slightly. The thin twigs bend gracefully, and are a red brown colour, contrasting nicely with the trunk.

Ultimate height 15m (49ft), Spread 8m (26ft).

Betula pendula ‘Youngii’ (Young’s Weeping Birch)

A graceful weeping form of the Silver Birch, with branches reaching the ground, it forms a small to medium-sized tree with a broadly dome-shaped crown. The twigs are red brown against the silvery-white peeling bark, giving good winter interest. It is a reliable performer, tolerating most soil conditions, and is perfect for smaller gardens, where space is limited.

Ultimate height 8m (26ft), Spread 5m (16ft).

Betula utilis ‘Fascination’

Vigorous and quick growing, this medium-sized tree is pyramidal in shape, with stiffly upright branches. Like all Birch trees it is notable for its attractive bark which is deep orange colour, peeling off in sheets to reveal another layer of bark, each slightly lighter in colour than the last. In early Spring dark green leaves are accompanied by attractive yellow-brown male catkins, and in Autumn its leaves turn a vibrant yellow before falling.

Ultimate height 15m (50ft), Spread 10m (33ft).

Betula utilis ‘Fastigiata’

This upright form of the Himalayan Birch displays brilliant white bark, and is an elegant architectural tree, useful for group planting and avenues, or as a solitary feature tree. Green foliage throughout Spring and Summer turns to a creamy yellow in Autumn.

Ultimate height 10m (32ft), Spread 4m (13ft).

Betula utilis Jacquemontii (Himalayan Birch)

Wonderfully architectural, this low-branched tree has very uniform crown, but can also be grown as a multi-stemmed specimen. Vividly white bark appears when the tree is still young, flaking to reveal a slightly darker layer underneath. Young twigs are a warm reddish colour, and form a striking contrast against the bark in the depths of winter. A versatile tree that can be as a single feature or in groups.

Ultimate height 12m (40ft), Spread 5m (16ft).

Betula utilis Jacquemontii ‘Silver Shadow’

A small and graceful variety of the Himalayan birch, with silvery-white peeling bark, and large green leaves that turn a warm yellow in the Autumn. It will grow well in most soil conditions, and brings striking winter interest to the garden.