Carpinus betulus 'Frans Fontaine'

RHS Plant Profile

hornbeam 'Frans Fontaine'

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Trees

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Narrow, columnar deciduous tree, about 10m in height, with smooth, grey bark darkening with age. Bears fresh green leaves in spring and summer, which turn to a rich, golden-yellow in autumn, often holding the dead, brown leaves through winter, before shedding them in spring. This cultivar only produces male catkins which are green and appear in April

Position

Full sun, Partial shade

Soil Types

Chalk, Clay, Loam, Sand

Max Height

8-12 metres

Max Spread

2.5-4 metres

Size

Time to Maturity: 10–20 years
Max Spread: 2.5-4 metres
Max Height: 8-12 metres

Growing Conditions

Chalk Clay Loam Sand

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

Position

Full sun Partial shade

Aspect: South–facing or West–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: Columnar upright
Genus: Carpinus are deciduous shrubs and trees with attractive foliage and hop-like fruit clusters in late summer and autumn
Name Status: Accepted

How to Grow

Cultivation

Easy to grow in most soils after establishment including those which are dry or wet.

Propagation

Propagate by softwood cuttings in spring and early summer or grafting

Suggested planting locations and garden types

Architectural
Cottage and informal garden
Wildlife gardens

Pruning

Pruning group 1

Pests

May be susceptible to caterpillars and aphids

Diseases

May be susceptible to powdery mildews, coral spot and sometimes honey fungus