Carpinus fargesiana
An elegant, medium to large, deciduous tree with grey bark on the trunk and dark-brown to grey bark on the branches, which weep at their tips. Rare in cultivation, the tree can reach 20m (66ft) high when mature. It bears attractive, bronze-purple and green new leaves in spring, maturing to green in summer and turning a rich orange-red in autumn. The green, male and female catkins are produced separately on the same tree in April. After fertilisation, the female flowers develop into hop-like clusters in late summer to autumn, containing winged seeds that disperse on the wind when ripe
Buy this plant
Size
Ultimate height
Higher than 12 metresTime to ultimate height
10–20 yearsUltimate spread
Wider than 8 metresGrowing conditions
Moisture
Moist but well–drainedpH
Acid, Alkaline, NeutralColour & scent
Stem | Flower | Foliage | Fruit | |
Spring | Green | Green Purple Bronze | ||
---|---|---|---|---|
Summer | Green | |||
Autumn | Orange Red | |||
Winter |
Position
- Full sun
- Partial shade
Aspect
South–facing or West–facing or East–facing
Exposure
Exposed or Sheltered Hardiness
H7Botanical details
- Family
- Betulaceae
- Native to GB / Ireland
- No
- Foliage
- Deciduous
- Habit
- Bushy, Spreading branched
- Genus
Carpinus are deciduous shrubs and trees with attractive foliage and hop-like fruit clusters in late summer and autumn
- Name status
Correct
- Plant range
- China
How to grow
Cultivation
Easy to grow in most soils, as long as they are reasonably moist and well drained
Propagation
Propagate by seed, softwood cuttings in spring and early summer, or grafting
Suggested planting locations and garden types
- Architectural
- City and courtyard gardens
- Cottage and informal garden
- Low Maintenance
Pruning
Pests
May be susceptible to caterpillars and aphids
Diseases
May be susceptible to powdery mildews, coral spot and sometimes honey fungus
Get involved
The Royal Horticultural Society is the UK’s leading gardening charity. We aim to enrich everyone’s life through plants, and make the UK a greener and more beautiful place.