Clusters of whitish flowers, so like those of hops that they gave the tree its name, hang above leaves barely distinguishable from a hornbeam’s. European hophornbeam (Ostrya carpinifolia) makes a fast, round-headed ornamental of 35 to 50 feet. Give it sun and well-drained, chalky soil, and it will ask for nothing more.
Hophornbeam at a glance
Name
Ostrya carpinifolia
Family
Betulaceae
Type
tree
Height
32 to 65 feet (10 to 20 meters)
Exposure
full sun
Soil
ordinary
Foliage
deciduous
Flowering
mid-spring to late spring
Planting, care and pruning, here is all our advice for caring for hophornbeam (different from hornbeam):
Planting hophornbeam
Full sun and well-drained soil suit it best
Hophornbeam would flee excessively acidic soil if it could, preferring rather chalky soil instead; but it’ll also grow well in neutral soil.
Hophornbeam appreciates it when the soil is well drained and might suffer if there’s too much moisture, especially in winter.
It loves being in the sun!
Provide for regular watering over the 1st year after planting.
Whitish, hop-like flowers appear a few years after planting
It isn’t really a requirement to prune.
You can, however, eliminate dead, weak or damaged branches whenever you notice them.
Hophornbeam is preferably pruned in fall or at the end of winter.
As for care, hophornbeam requires no attention at all once it has settled in comfortably.
On top of that, it is very resistant to most diseases which means you won’t have to treat it.
Learn more about European hophornbeam
Hophornbeam releases a great deal of pollen
This tree, which has leaves and an overall bearing that are very similar to those of common hornbeam, also bears flowers that resemble those of hops. That’s the reason for it’s surprising name!
You’ll only have to wait a few years for these magnificent whitish flowers to appear in your garden.
The tree grows into with a round bearing and does so quite quickly, actually. Although it has, in some cases, exceeded heights of over 65 feet (20 meters), usually hophornbeam will top out at between 35 and 50 feet (10 to 15 meters) at most when fully grown.
Note: people allergic to pollen should consider pollen-free trees instead… this one has lots of pollen!
Smart tip about hophornbeam
Since hophornbeam is very hardy, it will resist diseases and thus helps avoid using chemical products.
Mulch will inhibit the growth of weeds if you spread it around the tree.
Written by Gaspard Lorthiois | Loves helping out, especially when it comes to growing things. Worked in herbal medicine, runs a farm, and dabbles in tech. Master's degree and engineer.
