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Betula pendula (Silver birch)

Other names: Weeping birch, Lady of the woods, European white birch, Lady birch, Betula verrucosa, Bed wen, Warty birch, Birk tree, Common birch, Betula alba, Betula alba var. pendula

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Species
B. pendula is a vigorous, narrowly conical, deciduous tree with white, peeling bark, cracked and black at the base with age. Slender, drooping stems bear ovate to diamond-shaped, toothed, mid-green leaves and yellow-brown flower catkins in spring.
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Season of interest

Flower

Spring Summer Autumn Winter
Flower

Foliage

Spring Summer Autumn Winter
Foliage
Height and spread

Height and spread

Size Max height Max spread To maturity
15 m 12 m 20-50 years
49 ft 39 ft 20-50 years

Where to grow

Soil type
  • Chalky
  • Clay
  • Loamy
  • Sandy
Soil drainage
  • Moist but well-drained
  • Well-drained
Soil pH
  • Acid
  • Alkaline
  • Neutral
Sunlight
  • Partial Shade
  • Full Sun
Aspect
  • East
  • West
  • South
  • North
Exposure
  • Exposed
  • Sheltered

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Additional plant details

Cultivation

Grows a wide range of conditions and soil types.

Suggested uses

Architectural, Low Maintenance, Wildlife, Woodland

UK hardiness

H7

USDA zones

Zone 7, Zone 8, Zone 9

Sunset zone

A2, A3, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24

WUCOLS

North-Central Coastal = High
Central Valley = High
South Coastal = High
South Inland = High
High and Intermediate Desert = Inappropriate
Low Desert = Inappropriate

Foliage

Deciduous

Habit

Pendulous, Narrowly conical

Native to

Europe, Russia

Drought tolerant

No

Flood tolerant

Yes

Toxicity

Not toxic

Plant care

Pruning

Pruning group 1.

Propagation methods

Seed, Softwood cuttings, Grafting

Pests

Aphids

Leaf-mining sawflies

Sawflies

Diseases

Leaf spot

Birch rust

Selective pruning only (only if needed)

Rake up and use fallen leaves to make leafmould

Take softwood cuttings

Propagate from grafting in winter (advanced)

Plant in moist but well-drained soil (autumn or spring)

Plant in full sun or partial shade (autumn or spring)

Other plants

Plants in this Genus (54)

Betula

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Betula pubescens
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Betula pubescens Downy birch
Betula albosinensis var. septentrionalis 'Kansu'
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Betula albosinensis var. septentrionalis 'Kansu' Northern chinese red birch 'Kansu'
Betula szechuanica
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Betula szechuanica Szechuan birch
Betula utilis var. jacquemontii
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Betula utilis var. jacquemontii West Himalayan birch
Betula pendula 'Fastigiata'
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Betula pendula 'Fastigiata' European white birch
Betula ermanii
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Betula ermanii Erman's birch
Betula papyrifera
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Betula papyrifera Paper birch
Betula pendula
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Betula pendula Silver birch
Betula pendula 'Laciniata'
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Betula pendula 'Laciniata' Swedish birch
Betula pendula 'Youngii'
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Betula pendula 'Youngii' Young's weeping birch
Betula albosinensis var. septentrionalis
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Betula albosinensis var. septentrionalis Northern chinese red birch
Betula nigra
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Betula nigra Black birch
Betula ermanii 'Grayswood Hill'
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Betula ermanii 'Grayswood Hill' Erman's birch 'Grayswood Hill'
Betula pendula 'Purpurea'
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Betula pendula 'Purpurea' Purple birch
Betula albosinensis 'Fascination'
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Betula albosinensis 'Fascination' Chinese red birch 'Fascination'
Betula utilis var. jacquemontii 'Doorenbos'
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Betula utilis var. jacquemontii 'Doorenbos' Himalayan birch 'Doorenbos'
Betula utilis var. jacquemontii 'Grayswood Ghost'
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Betula utilis var. jacquemontii 'Grayswood Ghost' Himalayan birch 'Grayswood Ghost'
Betula utilis var. jacquemontii 'Silver Shadow'
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Betula utilis var. jacquemontii 'Silver Shadow' Himalayan birch 'Silver Shadow'
Betula utilis 'Moonbeam'
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Betula utilis 'Moonbeam' Himalayan birch 'Moonbeam'
Betula utilis 'Knightshayes'
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Betula utilis 'Knightshayes' Himalayan birch 'Knightshayes'
Betula nana 'Glengarry'
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Betula nana 'Glengarry' Dwarf birch 'Glengarry'
Betula pendula 'Dalecarlica'
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Betula pendula 'Dalecarlica' Swedish birch 'Dalecarlica'
Betula pendula 'Fastigiata Joes'
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Betula pendula 'Fastigiata Joes' Silver birch 'Fastigiata Joes'
Betula pendula 'Globe'
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Betula pendula 'Globe' Silver birch 'Globe'
Betula pendula 'Golden Obelisk'
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Betula pendula 'Golden Obelisk' Silver birch 'Golden Obelisk'
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Companion plants (4)

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Anticlea elegans
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Anticlea elegans Mountain deathcamas
Zigadenus nuttallii
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Zigadenus nuttallii Death camas
Narcissus 'Arctic Gold'
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Narcissus 'Arctic Gold' Daffodil 'Arctic Gold'
Narcissus pseudonarcissus
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Narcissus pseudonarcissus Wild daffodil
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Related content

Discuss Betula pendula with other Shoot members

Re: silver birch betula pendula

Kathy N
829 0
Hi, Pamela,
It sounds as if you already have some established, acid-loving plants and both of your new choices will do fine in those conditions - the Amelanchier likes acid to neutral soil, the Betula tolerates a wide range of conditions. I'm just not sure what you mean by japonicas - are they Camellias, Spiraeas, or Skimmias or something else. My only thoughts are 1) about the size your Betula will eventually get - is there room for a tree in that area that will get up to 15m tall? 2) Is there enough room to plant these trees so there isn't too much competition for moisture and nutrients while they establish themselves? and 3) As they get taller, will they create too much shade for the other plants? If you have Rhodos, Camellias, or Skimmia, they are fine in shade but Spiraea needs full sun.
Kathy C
Posted: Tuesday 13th of March 2012 05:15 PM Last reply: Tuesday 13th of March 2012 05:15 PM

silver birch betula pendula

Shoot User
829 1
Hi I have just bought this ornamental variety and wondered if it is ok to plant it amongst smaller shrubs, like japonicas, rhododendrons etc? Thanks
Posted: Friday 9th of March 2012 08:59 AM Last reply: Saturday 1st of March 2025 02:23 AM

This plant is featured at Chelsea Flower Show 2009

Nicola
811 0
Betula pendula (Silver birch) has been used in The HESCO Garden by Leeds City Council for Chelsea Flower Show 2009.
Posted: Friday 15th of May 2009 08:26 AM Last reply: Saturday 1st of March 2025 01:36 AM

Betula pendula

Shoot User
921 0
In the wild, it is a pioneer species, often associated with newly disturbed ground and open areas. The open habit of silver birch produces a light dappled shade in sunlight, allowing a range of plants to be grown underneath it. Ferns can be particularly attractive in this position. Birch produces masses of seeds which provide food for small finches, especially redpolls, siskins, greenfinches and goldfinches. Leaves often attract greenfly which in turn will bring in blue tits. Silver birch is also an important species for moths and other insects.
Posted: Thursday 14th of May 2009 04:48 PM Last reply: Saturday 1st of March 2025 02:36 AM
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