Betula utilis subsp. albosinensis 'China Ruby' B. Humphrey

RHS Plant Profile
Chinese red birch 'China Ruby'

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Synonyms

Betula albosinensis 'China Ruby' B. Humphrey

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Trees

A deciduous tree with a spreading crown to 8m in height with creamy-white fresh bark with tones of grey and pink. The leaves are oval and matt blue-green, turning yellow in autumn

Position

Full sun, Partial shade

Soil Types

Loam, Sand, Clay, Chalk

Max Height

8-12 metres

Max Spread

4-8 metres

Size

Time to Maturity
20–50 years
Max Spread
4-8 metres
Max Height
8-12 metres

Growing Conditions

Loam Sand Clay Chalk
Moisture
Moist but well–drained or Well–drained
pH
Neutral or Acid or Alkaline

Position

Full sun Partial shade
Aspect
West–facing or South–facing or North–facing or East–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)
H7

Colour & Scent

Season Stem Flower Foliage Fruit
Spring
Summer
Autumn
Winter

Botanical Details

Family
Betulaceae
Native to GB/Ireland
No
Foliage
Deciduous
Habit
Bushy, Spreading branched
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
Accepted

How to Grow

Cultivation

Will grow in a wide range of situations, including alklaline soil in sun or part-shade, but grows best in acid or neutral soil. For more information, see tree cultivation

Propagation

Propagate by softwood cuttings or grafting

Suggested planting locations and garden types

  • Cottage and informal garden
  • Wildlife gardens
  • Low Maintenance
  • 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