Carpinus betulus 'Orange Retz' – A Majestic Tree for Vibrant Autumn Foliage and Year-Round Appeal
Carpinus betulus 'Orange Retz', commonly known as the Hornbeam 'Orange Retz', is a magnificent deciduous tree cherished for its striking autumn colours, elegant form, and adaptability to a variety of growing conditions. With its vibrant golden-orange leaves in the fall and smooth, silvery-grey bark, this tree brings beauty, structure, and seasonal interest to gardens, parks, and landscapes throughout the year.
Seasonal Beauty & Growth
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Spring: In early spring, fresh green leaves emerge, providing a clean and vibrant canopy. Small, inconspicuous flowers develop, offering a subtle early-season display.
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Summer: During summer, the tree’s dense, dark green foliage creates a full, lush canopy, offering cooling shade and a beautiful backdrop for other plants.
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Autumn: The star of this tree’s seasonal display is its breathtaking autumn foliage, where the leaves turn to a rich, golden-orange hue, creating a stunning contrast with its smooth bark.
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Winter: In winter, Carpinus betulus 'Orange Retz' showcases its elegant branching structure and silvery-grey bark, adding a sculptural quality to the landscape. The tree’s form and bark remain a beautiful feature even in the colder months.
Structure & Form
Carpinus betulus 'Orange Retz' is a medium-sized tree, typically reaching 5-8m in height with a broad, rounded crown. Its upright growth habit and dense foliage make it ideal for creating structure in larger gardens, parklands, and streetscapes, where it can be used for shade or as a focal point.
Ideal for Various Landscapes
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Urban & Street Planting: Its tolerance of urban pollution and compact growth makes it an excellent choice for city streets and public spaces, providing shade and a strong vertical presence.
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Formal & Mixed Gardens: The elegant form and seasonal colour changes of this tree make it a perfect addition to formal gardens or mixed planting schemes, where it can serve as a focal point.
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Parklands & Larger Landscapes: With its impressive size and striking autumn colour, this tree is ideal for creating seasonal interest in larger spaces or woodland-style gardens.
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Privacy Screens & Hedges: Its dense foliage and upright growth make it an excellent choice for creating privacy screens or hedges in gardens where a natural barrier is desired.
Growing Conditions & Care
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Position: Thrives in full sun to partial shade. It will perform best in sunny spots but can tolerate some shade.
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Soil: Prefers well-drained, fertile soils and is adaptable to a variety of soil types, including clay, loam, and sandy soils. It prefers slightly acidic to neutral conditions.
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Hardiness: Fully hardy and resilient to frost, wind, and urban pollution, making it a great choice for a variety of climates and environments.
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Maintenance: Low-maintenance; simply prune to shape or remove dead or damaged wood. The tree’s strong structure requires little intervention to maintain its form.
Why Choose Carpinus betulus 'Orange Retz'?
Carpinus betulus 'Orange Retz' is an exceptional tree, offering year-round beauty and structure. Its stunning autumn foliage, elegant form, and ability to thrive in a variety of conditions make it an excellent choice for adding vibrancy, shade, and seasonal interest to your garden or landscape.
Perfect Plant Combinations
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Other Ornamental Trees – Pair with Acer rubrum (Red Maple) or Liquidambar styraciflua (Sweet Gum) for a striking contrast in autumn colour.
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Flowering Shrubs – Combine with Rhododendron or Viburnum for multi-season beauty and texture.
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Perennials & Grasses – Underplant with Astilbe, Hostas, or Hakonechloa for rich textures and movement beneath the canopy.
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Spring Bulbs – Complement with Crocus, Daffodils, or Hyacinths for an early spring burst of colour.
Carpinus betulus 'Orange Retz' is a versatile, multi-season tree perfect for adding vibrant autumn hues, elegant form, and structural beauty to any landscape. Whether for large gardens, urban spaces, or parklands, this tree is a reliable, low-maintenance choice that offers a stunning seasonal display year after year.
Does the height include the pot?
No, we measure from the top of the pot to the tip of the plant except for some of the instant planted screens, in this case it will be stated in the description
How long does delivery take?
Most orders are delivered in just a few days, Smaller items are often sent with Parcelforce on a next day service, Larger items should allow up to 10 days due to the size of the items they often have to be sent on our own transport.
Where will you leave my plants?
We will leave your order at the front of your property, Parcelforce may
leave your items in a safe place if you let us know, Pallet couriers
will require a flat hard surface to deliver to, no gravel or soil, a
driveway or parking spot would be best. Most importantly Deliveries by
pallet courier will require access for a large truck (bin lorry sized)
to get near the delivery point. Deliveries sent on our own transport may come in a small van or larger truck.
