Nothofagus antarctica

RHS Plant Profile
Antarctic beech

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Antarctic beech RHS

Other common names

nire, nirre

Trees
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A broadly conical, often multi-stemmed, deciduous tree with small, dark green, glossy leaves with crinkly margins, turning yellow in autumn

Position

Full sun

Soil Types

Clay, Loam, Sand

Max Height

Higher than 12 metres

Max Spread

wider than 8 metres

Size

Time to Maturity
more than 50 years
Max Spread
wider than 8 metres
Max Height
Higher than 12 metres

Growing Conditions

Clay Loam Sand
Moisture
Moist but well–drained
pH
Acid

Position

Full sun
Aspect
South–facing or North–facing or East–facing or West–facing
Exposure
Exposed or Sheltered
Hardiness

Hardiness Ratings

All ratings refer to the UK growing conditions unless otherwise stated. Minimum temperature ranges (in degrees C) are shown in brackets

  • H1A: under glass all year (>15C)
  • H1B: can be grown outside in the summer (10 - 15)
  • H1C: can be grown outside in the summer (5 - 10)
  • H2: tolerant of low temperatures, but not surviving being frozen (1 to 5)
  • H3: hardy in coastal and relatively mild parts of the UK (-5 to 1)
  • H4: hardy through most of the UK (-10 to -5)
  • H5: hardy in most places throughout the UK even in severe winters (-15 to -10)
  • H6: hardy in all of UK and northern Europe (-20 to -15)
  • H7: hardy in the severest European continental climates (< -20)
H6

Colour & Scent

Season Stem Flower Foliage Fruit
Spring
Summer
Autumn
Winter

Botanical Details

Family
Nothofagaceae
Native to GB/Ireland
No
Foliage
Deciduous
Habit
Columnar upright
Genus
Nothofagus is a genus of southern hemisphere, deciduous or evergreen, trees with similarities to the northern Fagus (beech), but differing in their very short-stalked, usually much smaller leaves, and the male and female flowers being solitary or in threes rather than grouped
Name Status
Correct
Plant Range
Chile, Argentina

How to Grow

Cultivation

Grow in fertile, lime-free, moist but well-drained soil in full sun

Propagation

Propagate by seed sown in a seedbed in autumn

Suggested planting locations and garden types

  • Architectural
  • Low Maintenance

Pruning

Pruning group 1

Pests

May be susceptible to aphids and beech bark scale

Diseases

May be susceptible to honey fungus in gardens where it is present but insufficient data to determine degree of susceptibility. May also be susceptible to root rot