Betula albosinensis ' Hergest' 12ltr pot

Betula albosinensis 'Hergest' — 12L Pot

A striking specimen birch prized above all for its bark: on mature branches it peels to reveal a soft blend of creamy pink and white, patterned with prominent bronze-brown lenticels. 'Hergest' arose as a chance seedling at Hergest Croft Garden in Herefordshire and has since become one of the most sought-after birches for winter interest, when the bark colour is at its most vivid against a bare garden. In summer the oval, mid-green leaves provide light, airy shade, turning a clear yellow before falling in autumn.

Vigorous and upright in habit, this birch will eventually reach heights over 12m with a spread of 4–8m, though that's a 20–50 year journey — well suited to being underplanted with spring bulbs while it establishes. It thrives in full sun or partial shade and tolerates a wide range of soils, from loam and clay to chalk and sand, provided drainage is reasonable.

Each tree is hand-selected before dispatch.