Carpinus betulus Monumentalis - Hornbeam

Carpinus betulus 'Monumentalis' is a variety with a dense ovoid habit that is perfectly suited for planting in rows or as a standalone specimen. It is a cultivar of a very small tree that is ideal for gardens with limited space or to highlight the surroundings of a house. Its extremely slow growth and short branching require no pruning. Despite being deciduous, this tree maintains a full silhouette almost all year round and offers changing colours throughout the seasons. Its charming pleated medium green foliage turns bright golden yellow in autumn before browning and persists throughout the winter until the emergence of young tender green leaves in spring. Hardy and vigorous, it is a native species of our regions that is synonymous with our familiar landscapes and is increasingly found in private gardens, as it is beautiful, useful, and easy to grow in all deep soils!

Carpinus betulus, sometimes called hornbeam, is a tree native to forests in Europe and Asia Minor (Turkey and Ukraine) with a pyramidal habit that becomes more rounded over time. Its straight trunk is covered with pale grey to grey-green bark. The bark is smooth on young hornbeams and becomes fissured as it ages. Its flowers are monoecious, either male or female, with slightly different appearances and appear in autumn (male catkins) and spring (female catkins). Carpinus betulus produces pendulous clusters of fruits that are 3 to 6cm (1.2 to 2.4in) long and green in colour, turning yellow-brown when mature, in late September. These fruits are called samaras and are toxic.

The 'Monumentalis' variety is a horticultural selection often confused with the 'Fastigiata' variety. It is distinguished by a more upright cone-shaped habit and a much more compact growth with very dense branching. At maturity, this tree will only reach 5m (16ft 5in) in height by 3m (9ft 10in) in width. It has a very slow growth rate, growing only 10 to 15cm (3.9 to 5.9in) per year. Its very dark, grey-brown-black branches bear foliage composed of ovate leaves with double serrations, measuring 5 to 10cm (2 to 3.9in) long. The foliage is initially tender green in spring, then turns medium green, and from late September to November, it takes on a beautiful golden yellow colour. Marcescent, its withered foliage remains attached and falls with the new leaf growth in spring, allowing it to maintain an ornamental aspect throughout the seasons. When planted as a hedge, it provides privacy even in the winter.

The 'Monumentalis' hornbeam is a very hardy and undemanding tree, adapting to any soil that is sufficiently deep, including limestone and occasionally dry soil. It is most commonly used in rows or as a standalone tree in gardens. When planted together, it provides a lasting structure to the garden while having a changing appearance throughout the seasons. It can be paired with other shrubs and autumn foliage trees such as Cotinus, deciduous Euonymus, Persian ironwood, or Montpellier maple, all of which are equally easy to grow in all regions. The orange hips of English roses 'Morning Mist' or 'Fighting Temeraire' should accompany its flamboyant branches until the frosts.

The wood of the common hornbeam is used for heating, papermaking, as well as for tools and children's toys. It is a shrub that rarely lives longer than 100 years in nature.