Carpinus betulus 12L

Carpinus betulus – Common Hornbeam (12L)

Few plants combine the elegance of a woodland tree with the discipline of a formal hedge quite like common hornbeam. Native to southern England, Carpinus betulus bears crisp, deeply ribbed green leaves that turn a warm butter-yellow in autumn. When clipped as a hedge, it holds on to its russet-brown foliage well into winter, giving year-round screening and shelter long after other deciduous plants have gone bare. In spring it carries dangling catkins, followed by clusters of hop-like winged fruits that birds and wildlife appreciate.

Hornbeam is one of the most tolerant and dependable garden trees, holding the RHS Award of Garden Merit. It thrives in full sun or partial shade, copes with exposed sites, and grows happily on chalk, sand, loam and heavy clay. It is a particularly good choice for damp or poorly drained ground where beech would struggle. Left unpruned, it matures into a handsome specimen tree with a smooth, fluted grey trunk, eventually reaching over 12m tall and more than 8m wide over many decades. It responds very well to clipping, so it is just as at home as a tightly trimmed hedge, pleached screen or topiary shape. Trim hedges once a year in late summer to keep a dense, neat finish. Hornbeam is not known to be toxic, which makes it a reassuring choice for family gardens and areas used by pets.

Supplied in a 12-litre pot, this well-rooted plant is ready to establish quickly and is ideal for specimen planting or a more instant hedge. Each plant is hand-selected before dispatch.