Carpinus betulus 'Frans Fontaine'
Columnar European Hornbeam

 Plant Type:
 Growth Forms:
 Hardiness:
 Deciduous / Evergreen:
 Flower Notes:
Yellow;green (April; male catkins, not ornamentally important;female catkins, not ornamentally important)
 Foliage Notes:
Green (Summer); Yellow (Fall)
 Fruit Notes:
Brown (3-lobed nutlets in long clusters that resemble "hops")
 Ultimate Height:
30-35 feet
 Ultimate Spread:
15-18 feet
 Soil Notes:
Adaptable to a wide range of soil conditions, but prefers well-drained soils
 Range:
Cultivated origin
 Diagnostic Characteristics:
Leaves alternate, simple, 2.5-5" long and 1-2" wide with doubly serrated margins. Brown to red buds are long, pointed, and imbricate, with scales having soft pubescence. Axillary buds curve in toward the stem. This columnar cultivar has a central leader and is smaller and slower growing than the similar cultivar 'Fastigiata'.

Additional Information

Carpinus betulus is relatively trouble-free and tolerates a wide range of soil conditions and some shade. This plant is also very tolerant of heavy pruning, making it useful as a hedge. The cultivar 'Frans Fontaine' is a tight, narrow, columnar cultivar with densely set branches and leaves. Over time this cultivar retains its fastigiate form better than the similar cultivar 'Fastigiata'.

10 Carpinus betulus 'Frans Fontaine' found

= Heritage plant = Memorial plant
Number Accession ID Location
12014_00007*BMATH
22013_00798*ARSC
32015_00591*AAQUA
42015_00589*AAQUA
52015_00590*AAQUA
62014_00007*AMATH
72018_00518*AHANS
82013_00796*ARSC
92018_00517*AHANS
102013_01085*BMATH

Other plants like this Carpinus betulus 'Frans Fontaine' (Columnar European Hornbeam)

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