Betula: With its range of colours and characteristics, this genus is able to complement most designs

摘要

The Betula genus comprises some 60 species of deciduous trees and shrubs found throughout northern temperate regions across Europe, Asia and North America, often in vast swathes of birch forest. Many of these species and their resulting culti-vars offer a variety of colour and characteristics to suit a range of design projects. Whether the brief is urban, modern, traditional or naturalistic, there is likely to be a Betula species to suit the setting. Birches are elegant trees - the native 8. pendula(silver birch) is known by many as the lady of the woods because of its architectural form, attractive white bark and golden autumn foliage. Many other species also offer interesting bark hues, growth habits and autumn colour. All are monoecious, bearing both male and female catkins on the same plant, adding interest in spring when the pendulous male catkin can easily be distinguished from the shorter female form.