Betula utilis subsp. albosinensis 'Red Lady'

RHS Plant Profile

Chinese red birch 'Red Lady'

Trees

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A medium-sized deciduous tree with a narrow conical habit, approximately 8m in height and 2m in spread. Gorgeous, red/brown peeling bark is this trees stand out feature. Yellow catkins appear in spring followed by glossy green leaves which turn a golden yellow in Autumn

Position

Full sun, Partial shade

Soil Types

Chalk, Clay, Loam, Sand

Max Height

4-8 metres

Max Spread

1.5-2.5 metres

Size

Time to Maturity: 10–20 years
Max Spread: 1.5-2.5 metres
Max Height: 4-8 metres

Growing Conditions

Chalk Clay Loam Sand

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

Position

Full sun Partial shade

Aspect: East–facing or South–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: Betulaceae
Native to GB/Ireland: No
Foliage: Deciduous
Habit: Columnar upright
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: Unresolved

How to Grow

Cultivation

Grows well on most soils with certain species happy even in wet sites. Although tolerant of chalk soils they will not reach a maximum size in these conditions. Best planted in a full sun position.

Propagation

Propagate by softwood cuttings or grafting

Suggested planting locations and garden types

Architectural
City and courtyard gardens
Cottage and informal garden
Flower borders and beds

Pruning

pruning group 1

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