About
Betula medwediewii is a compact shrub that reaches heights of up to 5 meters. It features prominent, pointed winter buds and initially grows with a vertical form, which becomes more spreading as the plant matures. The dark green leaves exhibit a transition to yellow and yellow-brown hues in autumn. In spring, this species produces male catkins, which can grow up to 10 centimeters in length.
About the genus
Betula comprises both deciduous trees and shrubs, known for their vibrant autumn foliage and distinctive bark that can be white, pink, or brown and peeling. In spring, male and female catkins emerge separately, preceding or coinciding with leaf growth.
Growing conditions
- Sunlight
- Full sun, Partial shade
- Soil type
- Clay, Loam, Sand
- Soil pH
- Acid, Alkaline, Neutral
- Soil moisture
- Moist but well-drained
- Aspect
- South-facing, North-facing, West-facing, East-facing
- Exposure
- Sheltered
- UK hardiness
- H7
Plant details
- Plant type
- Shrubs
- Habit
- Bushy
- Foliage
- Deciduous
- Height
- 4-8 metres
- Spread
- 4-8 metres
- Time to full height
- 10-20 years
- Suggested uses
- Wildlife gardens, Coastal, Cottage and informal garden
- Native to
- Black Sea
Care notes
- Cultivation
- Grow in moderately fertile, moist but well-drained soil in full sun or partial shade but tolerant of a range of soil conditions. See tree cultivation for further advice
- Pruning
- Pruning group 1; birches bleed heavily, prune only when fully dormant from late summer to before mid-winter
- Propagation
- Propagate by seed sown in a seed bed in autumn or take softwood cuttings in summer or grafting
- Pest resistance
- May be susceptible to birch borers, leaf-mining sawflies and aphids
- Disease resistance
- May be susceptible to honey fungus, a tree rust and powdery mildews