What Is an Ornamental Birch?

"Japanese White Birch": Betula platyphylla "Japonica"

• "Japanese White Birch" makes a stunning ornamental tree with glossy green leaves against a stark white trunk. These are hardy through to zone 2, and they grow very quickly. Come fall the green leaves take on a nearly golden hue. The bowers of this birch are large enough to provide shade in your lawn. If you have a Zen garden, these also make suitable bonsai trees.The "Japanese White Birch" likes a sunny location with moist loam.

"Whitespire Birch": Betula populifolia

• The "Whitespire Birch" grows into a pyramid shape. The bark has a chalky color. Similar to the

  "Japanese Birch," "Whitespire Birch" has vibrant green leaves that turn sunny-yellow in autumn. During summer months these ornamental trees grow small catkins that have nearly a bee-nest shape. For lawns and landscaping these trees come highly recommended thanks to their resistance to both Japanese beetles and bronze birch borers. The height makes this a good choice for property lines, or for use as an anchor piece. It is hardy to zone 4 and prefers wet soil.

"Crimson Frost Birch": Betula platyphylla var. szechuanica x Betula pendula "Purpurea" "Crimson Frost"

• "Crimson Frost Birch" has a very pleasing visual effect in a lawn. It has white bark with hints of cinnamon and dark burgundy colored leaves. Come fall the leaves turn toward harvest orange and yellow. This particular tree is a hybrid ornamental that crosses the "Purple Rain Birch" with a "Japanese White Birch." "Crimson Frost Birch" works best as an accent tree, surrounded by small complementary-colored flowers. Place it in well-tilled soil that has a slight acidic content.

"Heritage River Birch": Betula nigra "Heritage"

• "Heritage River Birch" is a disease-resistant ornamental tree that makes it ideal for landscaping. The bark peels bear a creamy-orange or pink hue and the leaves are a shiny green. Compared to other river birches the color in the trunk of the "Heritage River Birch" is more uniform. These trees grow quickly particularly when given rich, moist soil. You can grow this tree in hardiness zones 4a to 9a so long as the alkaline level in the soil doesn't go above 6.5.

"Young's Weeping Birch": Betula pendula "Youngii"

• The asymmetrical structure of this birch makes it perfect for people with limited amount of yard space. "Young's Weeping Birch" has white bark and deep green leaves that turn golden in the autumn. Unlike other birches, it only grows to about 15 feet tall, looking much like an umbrella when mature. This ornamental likes evenly moist soil. It is not as resistant to bronze birch borer or aphids as some other cultivars.