Betula nana
dwarf birch
A diminutive birch to a height of up to 75cm with tiny rounded, yet serrated deciduous green leaves which turn dramatic shades of red and yellow in autumn. Perfect for a rock garden
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Size
Ultimate height
0.1–0.5 metresTime to ultimate height
10–20 yearsUltimate spread
1–1.5 metresGrowing conditions
Moisture
Moist but well–drained, Well–drainedpH
Neutral, Acid, AlkalineColour & scent
Stem | Flower | Foliage | Fruit | |
Spring | Green | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Summer | Green | |||
Autumn | Red Yellow | |||
Winter |
Position
- Full sun
- Partial shade
Aspect
West–facing or South–facing or North–facing or East–facing
Exposure
Exposed or Sheltered Hardiness
H7Botanical details
- Family
- Betulaceae
- Native to the UK
- Yes
- Foliage
- Deciduous
- Habit
- Bushy, Spreading branched, Clump forming
- Genus
Betula can be deciduous trees or shrubs, usually colouring well in autumn and often with striking white, pink, or peeling brown bark; separate male and female catkins open before or with the leaves in spring
- Name status
Correct
How to grow
Cultivation
Will grow in a wide range of situations, sun or part shade. Ideal for a rock garden
Propagation
Propagate by seed sown in a seed bed in autumn or take softwood cuttings in summer
Suggested planting locations and garden types
- City and courtyard gardens
- Cottage and informal garden
- Rock garden
- Flower borders and beds
Pruning
Pruning group 1; birches bleed heavily, prune only when fully dormant from late summer to before mid-winter
Pests
May be susceptible to birch borers, leaf-mining sawflies and aphids
Diseases
May be susceptible to honey fungus, a tree rust and powdery mildews
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