Betula albosinensis 'Fascination'

Betula albosinensis, or Chinese silver birch, is a medium-sized deciduous tree with an open crown, giving it a handsome appearance. However its most fetching feature is its bark, which shines with a burnished copper gleam in different shades of rose, pink and purple. The bark peels gracefully, offering a contrasting honey or reddish-maroon backing with a grey bloom.

Betula albosinensis 'Fascination' has larger and darker green leaves than the species, which appear in April with yellow catkins up to 10cm in length. Like all birches – including our native silver birch Betula pendula – Betula albosinensis 'Fascination' thrives in most situations, but for best results grow in moist but well-drained soil in sun to partial shade.