Betula
Birch
- Height × spread
- 0.3m – 25m × 0.3m – 12m
- Position
- Full sun
Availability
Please ask in store about availability
Many plants are seasonal. Call 01234 567890 to check current stock.
About this plant
A much loved tree, the birch often has silver or red bark, highly ornamental catkins in spring and wonderful autumn colour before the leaves fall. There's a wide range of shapes and sizes, some weep gracefully, others are more upright. In some, the distinctive bark peels off in thin layers like paper. Some grow up to 25m tall, shorter and more compact varieties are also available.
- Flower colour
- Brown, Gold, White, Yellow
- Foliage colour
- Green, Purple
- Variegated
- No
- Scent
- Yes, some varieties
- Shape
- Bell, Column, Cone, Dome, Fan, Oval, Round, Weeping
- Height
- 0.3m – 25m
- Spread
- 0.3m – 12m
- Season of interest
- Spring, Summer, Autumn, Winter
- Evergreen
- Deciduous
- Garden style
- Winter garden, Small scale garden, Seaside garden, Scented garden, Rock garden, Gravel garden, Cottage garden
- Sun or shade
- Likes full sun, likes part shade, tolerates light shade
- Soil type
- All types
- Soil pH
- All types
- Drainage
- Moisture retentive soil, Damp and wet soil, Well drained soil, Dry soil, Drought resistant
- Winter hardiness
- Varies, most are hardy
- Borders & containers
- Borders
- Use for
- Screening, Structural, Architectural, Deer resistant, Rabbit resistant, Bee attraction, Bird attraction
- Maintenance
- Easycare – low/no maintenance
- Hazards
- No
Spring
Spring - late · Outdoors
Feed young plants with slow release fertiliser
Spread a slow release fertiliser around the base of the plant to the edge of the foliage spread, so that it can feed the roots. It is helpful for this to be applied for several years.
This is a simple way to provide a nutrient boost until the plant becomes well established.
Spring-Autumn · Outdoors
Water in dry periods
Established plants in the ground can cope with 7-10 days of dryness, and shrubs often manage 2 to 3 weeks. Water one section of the garden thoroughly each day rather than a little everywhere. Check plants in pots more often, especially in hot weather.
Spring-Autumn · Outdoors
Water to keep the soil moist
For best results, this plant needs soil that is always moist. Water deeply and regularly as soon as soil appears dry. Even for established plants in the ground, a dry week can cause problems with some soils. Check plants in pots more often, especially in hot weather. Or install an automatic irrigation system which will do the hard work for you, even when you are away on holiday.
Without regular watering some plants never fully regain their beauty.
Planting & general
Outdoors
Water some varieties differently
Some plants within this genus have additional requirements for water. It is best to look up your specific plant, or the species it belongs to for watering guidance.
Planting
Protect & support young trees
Attach a newly planted tree or tall shrub over 1m to a tree stake to give support and prevent windrock. Use a tree guard to stop tree bark being eaten by animals, especially in areas with deer - removing bark injures a tree and in worst case can kill it.
Found in
More Betula
Betula pendula
European white birch, Silver birch, Warty birch, Common birch
Betula utilis var. jacquemontii
White barked Himalayan birch, Himalayan birch
Betula 'Fascination'
Erman's birch, Gold birch, Russian rock birch
Betula 'Hergest'
Birch, Hybrid birch
Betula 'Mount Apoi'
Birch, Hybrid birch
Betula albosinensis
Chinese red birch, Chinese paper birch
Betula albosinensis
Chinese red birch, Chinese paper birch, Birch
Betula albosinensis 'China Ruby' (B. Humphrey)
Chinese red birch, Chinese paper birch