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 |
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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 |