With their graceful silhouettes and interesting, often colourful, sometimes peeling bark, Betula (birch) are a favourite choice for the garden
Extending seasonal interest
Birches are invaluable trees for gardens large and small, providing pendent catkins in spring, dappled shade in summer and colourful autumn foliage. In winter, the intricate outline of their bare branches and the colours of their bark come into their own, whatever the weather may throw at them.
Selecting species and cultivars
Birches tend to establish quickly and make rapid growth for the first 12-15 years, giving a feel of maturity to relatively new gardens. Where space is limited try Betula pendula ‘Laciniata’ AGM or ‘Tristis’ AGM (which keeps a whiter main trunk further into old age) or a multi-stemmed B. utilis var. jacquemontii. Larger specimens include B. nigra (with shaggy, red-brown bark) and B. papyrifera (peeling white bark, orange-red beneath). One of the most attractive is B. albosinensis AGM with peeling pink to coppery-red bark.
The Himalayan birches (B. utilis) are some of the most visually attractive of trees but not all are white stemmed. Those from the eastern Himalaya have bark in rich hues of mahogany or cinnamon. One of the best is B. utilis var. prattii with bright orange bark.
There are several improved white-stemmed selections of B. utilis var. jacquemontii including ‘Doorenbos’ AGM with striking white bark that is pale orange when first exposed; ‘Snow Queen’ is similar. ‘Grayswood Ghost’ AGM has brilliant white bark and glossy green leaves. For dazzling white stems, however, few selections compare to ‘Silver Shadow’ AGM. ‘Jermyns’ AGM is another fine selection, although it is not quite as white. ‘Inverleith’ is also highly regarded. Alternatively, B. ermanii ‘Grayswood Hill’ AGM is another species with superb white bark.
Planting in groups
Birch are attractive as single specimens or in small groups. They are also available multistemmed, although at a price. If space permits, plant a number of different species with differing bark colours and textures to provide contrast, remembering to check the backdrop, as a young B. nigra, for example, would not look good against a brown panel fence.
Alternatively, plant closely at a spacing of 1m (39in). This will give trees with narrow canopies and conspicuous bark, while competition at the roots for water and nutrients will restrict the rate of growth and overall height.
William Denne