Carpinus betulus Orange Retz - Hornbeam

Carpinus betulus 'Orange Retz' is a new variety of common hornbeam developed in France by J. Blondeau and distributed by Minier nurseries. If this frequent pyramidal tree in our forests is often relegated to the rank of a foil, 'Orange Retz', with its unique autumn foliage of flamboyant orange, and its more compact habit, deserves to be honoured, planted either as a solitary specimen or in a beautiful hedge that it will dress until late in the season. Its wavy leaves, which have become flamboyant, persist for a long time on branches with almost black bark before falling. This vigorous hornbeam is also very hardy and resistant, truly easy to cultivate. It tolerates pruning well and can also be trained as a topiary.

Carpinus betulus, sometimes called hornbeam, is a tree native to the forests of Europe and Asia Minor (Turkey and Ukraine), with a pyramidal habit that becomes more rounded over time. Its straight trunk is covered with a pale grey to grey-green bark. It is smooth in young Hornbeams and cracks as it ages. Its flowers are monoecious, either male or female, with a slightly different appearance and appearing in autumn (male catkins) and spring (female catkins). Carpinus betulus produces fruits in pendulous clusters, 3 to 6cm (1.2 to 2.4in) long, green in colour that turns yellow-brown when mature, at the end of September. These fruits are called samaras and are toxic. The 'Orange Retz' variety distinguishes itself with a more compact upright habit and magnificent orange foliage in autumn. At maturity, this well-branched small tree or large bush will not exceed 4m (13ft 1in) in height by 3m (9ft 10in) in width. Its very dark, brown-black branches bear compound leaves that are ovate and doubly toothed, 7 to 12cm (2.8 to 4.7in) long. Its colour is a bright green from spring to summer, taking on the brilliant coppery orange hue that gives all the charm to this variety.

The 'Orange Retz' hornbeam is a very hardy and undemanding plant, adapting to any soil that is sufficiently deep, even dry. It is most often used in hedges, whether trimmed or informal, as a windbreak, for example, as well as in solitary plantings in gardens. It can be paired with other autumn foliage shrubs such as Cotinus, deciduous Euonymus, Persian ironwood, or Montpellier maple, all of which are equally easy to succeed in all regions. The orange roses 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 bush that rarely exceeds 100 years in the wild.