Common hornbeam (Carpinus betulus)
Common hornbeam (Carpinus betulus) is a tree that can grow higher than 15m tall and wider than 8 metres wide. In this growing guide we’ll learn the cultivation details and how to plant Common hornbeam (Carpinus betulus).
This plant has several common names including: common hornbeam, European hornbeam, horn beech, horse beech, hurst beech, white beech, yoke elm or charmille.
This is a deciduous plant that takes more than 50 years to reach full maturity.
In this article
Plant profile
Common name: common hornbeam, European hornbeam, horn beech, horse beech, hurst beech, white beech, yoke elm, charmille
Scientific name: Carpinus betulus
Plant type: Trees
Habit: Bushy
Height: Higher than 15m
Spread: Wider than 8 metres
Foliage: Deciduous
Sunlight: Full Sun, Partial shade
Soil: Chalk, Clay, Loam, Sand
Moisture: Moist but well drained, Well drained
Garden type: Architectural
Planting type: Flower borders and bedding
Other characteristics: RHS Award of Garden Merit
Seasonal colors
| Season | Stem | Foliage | Flower | Fruit |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Spring | ||||
| Summer | ||||
| Autumn | ||||
| Winter |
How to plant Common hornbeam (Carpinus betulus) – Photo by David J. Stang, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Trees are essential plants in gardens, large and small, with their sculptural presence.
In terms of design, they add height, structure and interest all year round with attractive flowers, foliage, fruits and trunks.
In addition, they provide home and a food source for birds and other wildlife.
Other types of Carpinus to consider:
See all Carpinus
How to plant
In this section we will learn how to plant Common hornbeam (Carpinus betulus), know its needs in terms of soil, watering and sun exposure.
Soil
Common hornbeam (Carpinus betulus) is a plant that adapts to all types of soils, chalk, clay, loam or sand.
-
The chalky soil is pale and contains chunks of calcium-rich rock. It is a fertile and well-draining soil, almost always alkaline.
-
Clay soil is composed of more than 25 percent clay particles. These particles have a high moisture holding capacity and the soil is heavy to dig and can be waterlogged in winter (dry in summer).
-
The loam soil is dark, rich in organic matter but balanced in minerals. It offers the best of all worlds, retaining enough water for the plants, but allowing excess moisture to drain away. This is the most desired type of garden soil, perfect for most plants.
-
Sandy soil is light, porous and very easy to drain. It is a soil poor in organic matter and nutrients. It is composed of relatively large mineral particles that allow water to drain quickly.
It is not very sensitive to soil acidity or alkalinity and grows well in soils with pH acid, alkaline or neutral.
Regarding drainage, Carpinus betulus likes to grow in moist but well drained or well drained soils.
Sunlight
Common hornbeam (Carpinus betulus) is a plant that should be grown in full sun or partial shade positions.
Cultivation profiles – Growing Common hornbeam (Carpinus betulus) – H. Zell, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons
