Betula albosinensis

Betula albosinensis, or Chinese silver birch, is a medium-sized deciduous tree with an open crown, giving it a handsome appearance. However its most fetching feature is its bark, which shines with a burnished copper gleam in different shades of rose, pink and purple. The bark peels gracefully, offering a contrasting honey or reddish-maroon backing with a grey bloom. The leaves are oval to lance-shaped and pale green. The Royal Horticultural Society has given it its prestigious Award of Garden Merit (AGM).

Like all birches – including our native silver birch Betula pendula – Betula albosinensis thrives in most situations, but for best results grow in moist but well-drained soil in sun to partial shade.