Betula Royal Frost

Betula Royal Frost

Why Buy Me?

• Brilliantly coloured bark
• Slender hanging branches

Growing Conditions

Light:
Full sun to partial shade. Performs best in full sun, which enhances both its striking bark and colourful foliage. Partial shade is tolerated but may reduce foliage intensity.

Soil:
Moist, well-drained soil. Prefers loamy, sandy, or silty soils with slightly acidic to neutral pH. Avoid heavy, compacted, or waterlogged soils. Requires consistent moisture, especially in summer.

Exposure:
Thrives in open sites with good air circulation. Hardy, tolerating cold winters well. Protect from extreme heat and drying winds in hotter climates.

Drought Tolerance:
Low to moderate. Requires regular watering during dry spells, especially when young. Best growth occurs with evenly moist soil and organic mulch to retain moisture.

Cultivation & Care

Planting Time:
Plant in autumn or early spring while the soil is cool and moist. Avoid planting in periods of drought or extreme heat.

Spacing:
Allow 4–6 metres (13–20 feet) between trees. Grows to a mature height of 12–15 metres (40–50 feet) with a spread of about 6–8 metres (20–26 feet). Can be grown as a single-stemmed or multi-stemmed tree.

Watering & Fertilization:
Water deeply and regularly during the first 2–3 years. Once established, maintain soil moisture, especially during summer. Apply compost or a balanced fertilizer in early spring if needed.

Mulching & Pruning:
Mulch annually in spring to retain moisture and enrich the soil. Prune only in late summer or early autumn to avoid heavy sap bleeding. Remove any dead, damaged, or crossing branches to maintain healthy structure.

Propagation:
Typically propagated by grafting to preserve cultivar traits. Not grown from seed. Commercial nurseries usually handle propagation.

Seasonal Interest

Spring:
Emerges with striking deep burgundy to purple-red foliage, creating early-season drama. Slender catkins add subtle detail.

Summer:
Dark maroon foliage remains vivid throughout summer, providing strong contrast against green surroundings. Elegant form and white bark stand out in the landscape.

Autumn:
Leaves turn reddish-bronze to golden before dropping, extending seasonal colour interest.

Winter:
Beautiful, exfoliating white bark creates a stunning contrast with winter skies, snow, or evergreen backdrops. Provides strong structural interest year-round.

Wildlife & Garden Use

Wildlife:
Attracts pollinators with spring catkins. Leaves support caterpillars of certain moths. Bark and canopy provide shelter for insects and birds. Less wildlife value than native birches, but still beneficial.

Garden Use:
A showy ornamental tree ideal for modern landscapes, specimen plantings, or as a focal point in lawns and borders. Works well in small groves or as a multi-stemmed architectural feature.

Companion Plants:
Combines well with ferns, Heuchera, Brunnera, ornamental grasses, Cornus, and spring bulbs. Its colourful foliage and white bark contrast beautifully with green or gold-leaved shrubs and perennials.