About
Betula megrelica is an uncommon birch species typically found in thickets. It typically reaches a height of around 4 meters, developing into a small, multi-stemmed shrub with a spreading habit. The young shoots exhibit a brown hue that matures to a grey tone, complemented by its metallic-grey bark. The leaves are large, measuring approximately 5 cm in length, and they transition to a vivid yellow in the autumn. In early spring, this plant produces stout catkins that are greenish-brown in color.
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
- Chalk, Clay, Loam, Sand
- Soil pH
- Acid, Alkaline, Neutral
- Soil moisture
- Moist but well-drained, Well-drained
- Aspect
- East-facing, North-facing, South-facing, West-facing
- Exposure
- Exposed, Sheltered
- UK hardiness
- H7
Plant details
- Plant type
- Trees, Shrubs
- Habit
- Spreading branched
- Foliage
- Deciduous
- Height
- 2.5-4 metres
- Spread
- 2.5-4 metres
- Time to full height
- 10-20 years
- Suggested uses
- Coastal, Cottage and informal garden, Wildlife gardens
- Native to
- Transcaucasus
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 and is said to be very drought tolerant. See tree cultivation for further advice
- Pruning
- Pruning group 1
- Propagation
- Propagate by softwood cuttings 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