Photo credit: UT Gardens staff.
Think of it as landscape efficiency. Why plant one tree for each season when you could choose a “four-season tree” with year-round interest. After shedding their leaves in the fall, several deciduous tree species reveal beautiful branching patterns that provide sculptural elegance and sophistication to the garden.
Carpinus, or hornbeam, a member of the birch family, has such appeal, though a bit more subtle than other species in its transition from one season to another. There are typically only two species available commercially–C. betulas European hornbeam and C. caroliniana American hornbeam. For more about this plant; CLICK HERE