A lot of gardeners are on the search for beautiful trees that are suitable for small gardens, however Hornbeams aren't usually at on the priority list. The new offering from a well-known French nursery may alter all that.
Hornbeams are our native species. They make an enormous tree that can eventually grow to thirty metres with its branches sweeping upwards and falling towards the tips.
Despite its maturity it is also an attractive hedge, often keeping at least a portion of its foliage throughout winter. "Orange Retz" is a new variety that has several distinct and useful characteristics.
It is smaller trees, with more compact and compact growth. It can reach 5 meters within ten years, makes it ideal to hedge and in tiny space.
The spring foliage that emerges has bronze hues as it unfolds and creates the appearance of a slightly smoky. Then it matures into lime green and has a neat double-toothed edge that is a perfect match for every leaf.
However, in autumn things drastically change as the entire tree turns into a glowing pillar as the foliage changes to fire orange.
I have asked Andrew Beale of The Beale Arboretum which is the home of Plant Heritage National Collection of Carpinus cultivars, to share his thoughts on the new introduction.
"'Orange Retz' is an exciting new cultivar of Carpinus betulus hedge, slightly more compact than a classic hornbeam, and slightly wider than C. betulus 'Fastigiata'," I was told by him. "Its vivid orange colour is unique to the species, and lasts for several weeks in the autumn."
The 'Orange Retz' variety was chosen sometime before the year 2000 in the year 2000 by Jean Blondeau at the French nursery Minier Minier, which has been cultivating woody plants for more than 40 years. Their work has primarily been focused upon Abelia, Buddleja, Forsythia, Hibiscus, Syringa, and Physocarpus along with Cotinus, Potentilla, and Wisteria. They have reported that 'Orange Retz is tough and tolerant. It is also easy to cultivate.