Many gardeners have been bowled over by this poplar with its huge, heart shaped, dark green leaves. The leaves impress even on a young tree and may be up to twelve inches long with distinctive red veining and stems. Populus lasiocarpa has a broadly conical shape when young but becomes more rounded as it matures, finally reaching about 70 feet high with a 40 foot spread. In a larger garden, it would make a superb specimen. Yellowish green catkins appear in mid spring. Like other poplars, it is not too choosy about soil but thrives in deep, fertile, moist soil in full sun. Poplars should be planted at least 130 feet away from buildings as their roots can damage foundations.
Propagation: Take hardwood cuttings in the winter. |
We are all familiar with hornbeam hedges, but there are some that make admirable specimen trees. Carpinus betula 'Fastigiata' is one, and there is a magnificent example at the Hillier Arboretum in Hampshire. A mature Carpinus betula 'Fastigiata' is a tapered cone about 50 feet tall with a 40 foot spread. Its ovate, prominently veined leaves add to its distinction and, in autumn, turn yellow and orange. Spring marks the appearance of yellow male catkins and greenish female catkins that are superseded by racemes of green, hop-like fruits with pronounced three lobed bracts. Carpinus betula 'Fastigiata' should be grown in moderately fertile, well drained soil in sun or partial shade.
Propagation: Sow in a seedbed in the autumn. Root greenwood cuttings in early summer. |
Birches are among the most graceful of all garden trees and the NE Asian Betula ermanii is one of the finest. Not only attractive in leaf with its heart shaped, conspicuously veined, bright green leaves, it also looks marvellous in winter with its distinctive bark. The creamy white bark peels and newly exposed bark is fawn or pink, so there are always patches of different colours to catch the eye. Its yellowish brown catkins appear as the young leaves emerge in spring. A mature specimen of Betula ermanii is conical in shape and reaches about 70 feet with a 40 foot spread. Several planted together look lovely. It likes a moderately fertile, moist but well drained soil, in sun or partial shade.
Propagation: Root softwood cuttings in summer. |
