Ostrya japonica (18/05/2013, Kew Gardens, London)
Position: Full sun to partial shade
Soil: Moist, well drained
Flowering period: Late spring
Eventual Height: 20m
Eventual Spread: 10m
Hardiness: 4b, 5a, 5b, 6a, 6b, 7a, 7b, 8a, 8b, 9a
Family: Betulaceae
Ostrya japonica is a deciduous tree with a rounded habit. Its mid green leaves are ovate to lanceolate with serrate margins, up to 12cm long and 5.5cm broad. Its leaves turn yellow in autumn before they fall. Its bark is dark gray. Its dioecious yellow flowers are in the form of catkins in mid spring with the males being slightly longer than the females. Its fruit are hop like greenish fruit clusters that become brown in autumn.
Ostrya japonica, commonly known as the Japanese Hop Hornbeam is native to Japan, Korea and China. In its native habitat it grows in temperate forests.
The etymological root of the binomial name Ostrya is derived from the Greek ostrua, meaning bone-like which refers to its hard wood. Japonica is derived from the Latin meaning ‘from Japan’.
The landscape architect may find Ostrya japonica useful as an attractive tough tree which will tolerate most conditions.
Ecologically, Ostrya japonica will attract the larvae of some species of lepidoptera will feed on its foliage.
Ostrya japonica Leaf (18/05/2013, Kew Gardens, London)
Ostrya japonica prefers moist, fertile, well-drained soils. It tolerates most pH of soil.
Ostrya japonica requires little to no maintenance. Dead or damaged material may be removed in winter.
