Ostrya carpinifolia

RHS Plant Profile

hop hornbeam

Trees

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A deciduous tree, to around 15m high, conical when young and later spreading to rounded, with glossy, oval-shaped, deeply veined green leaves with doubly serrated edges. Yellow-green, pendent catkins open in spring, with male catkins reaching up to 7cm long, and smaller female catkins develop into hanging, hop-like seed clusters in late summer. Leaves turn yellow in autumn.

Position

Full sun, Partial shade

Soil Types

Chalk, Clay, Loam, Sand

Max Height

Higher than 12 metres

Max Spread

wider than 8 metres

Size

Time to Maturity: 20–50 years
Max Spread: wider than 8 metres
Max Height: Higher than 12 metres

Growing Conditions

Chalk Clay Loam Sand

Moisture: Moist but well–drained or Well–drained
pH: Acid or Neutral or Alkaline

Position

Full sun Partial shade

Aspect: East–facing or North–facing or South–facing or West–facing
Exposure: 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: Betulaceae
Native to GB/Ireland: No
Foliage: Deciduous
Habit: Columnar upright, Spreading branched
Genus
Name Status: Correct
Plant Range: S Europe, W Asia

How to Grow

Cultivation

Thrives in fertile, well-drained soil, though will tolerate most soil types. Prefers full sun in cooler areas, can benefit from partial shade in hot summers but flowering and autumn colour are reduced. Protect from strong winds. Can be a host tree for white truffle (Tuber magnatum)

Propagation

Propagate by seed or by hardwood cuttings. Seed requires stratification to germinate

Suggested planting locations and garden types

Architectural

Pruning

Minimal pruning required, see pruning group 1

Pests

May be susceptible to European oak bark beetle

Diseases

May be susceptible to chestnut blight and a fungal canker