Betula ermanii Grayswood Hill (Ermans Birch)

Award-winning Betula ermanii ‘Grayswood Hill’ is a particularly desirable birch with peeling, luminescent creamy-white bark tinted orange with pinkish lenticels (bumpy lines). Vigorous and fast-growing, this medium-sized deciduous tree has an open, slender habit and bears oval, glossy, rich green leaves, 4 in. long (10 cm), which turn a wonderful butter-yellow in fall before they shed for the winter.

Award-winning Betula ermanii 'Grayswood Hill' is a particularly desirable birch with peeling, luminescent creamy-white bark tinted orange with pinkish lenticels (bumpy lines). Vigorous and fast-growing, this medium-sized deciduous tree has an open, slender habit and bears oval, glossy, rich green leaves, 4 in. long (10 cm), which turn a wonderful butter-yellow in fall before they shed for the winter. In spring, tiny yellowish-brown male flowers appear in drooping catkins. Providing interest year-round, this birch tree is particularly appealing in the fall and winter with its golden canopy and stunning velvety creamy-white bark. It may take five years for the bark to color well.

  • Recipient of the prestigious Award of Garden Merit of the Royal Horticultural Society for its outstanding qualities
  • Grows up to 30-40 ft. tall (9-12 m) and 40 ft. wide (12 m).
  • A full sun or part shade lover, this plant is easily grown in medium to wet, well-drained soils. Tolerates a wide range of soils.
  • Perfect as a specimen plant or in borders, cottage gardens, city gardens, and foundation plantings
  • Low maintenance, this plant needs little pruning. If pruning is necessary, prune during the dormant season and avoid pruning in spring when the sap is running.
  • May be affected by sawflies, aphids, rust, and leaf spot.
  • Propagate by softwood cuttings or grafting
  • Native to northeast Asia

Requirements

Hardiness 6
– 9

Heat Zones 5
– 8

Plant Type Trees
Plant Family Betula – Birches
Exposure Full Sun, Partial Sun
Season of Interest Spring (Early,Mid,Late)Summer (Early,Mid,Late)FallWinter
Height 30'
– 40'
(9m
– 12m)
Spread 30'
(9m)
Water Needs Average
Maintenance Low
Soil Type Chalk, Clay, Loam, Sand
Soil pH Acid, Alkaline, Neutral
Soil Drainage Moist but Well-Drained, Well-Drained
Characteristics Plant of Merit, Showy
Tolerance Deer
Garden Uses Beds and Borders
Garden Styles City and Courtyard, Informal and Cottage, Traditional Garden