- Full Shade to Full Sun (Can Grow In Most Sunlight Conditions)
- Mature Height 20 - 35 Feet
- Mature Spread 20 - 35 Feet
- Growing Zones 3 - 9
Great for all seasons, American Hornbeam, or Carpinus Caroliniana, is an attractive tree that does well in difficult-to-landscape, shady areas. Naturally, it is an understory tree that is loved by wildlife of all kinds. The American Hornbeam grows 20 to 30 feet tall and 20 to 30 feet wide. Leaves emerge reddish-purple transforming into a deep green with serrated veins during the summer. As the season progresses, the leaves turn shades of crimson and bright gold. In spring, flowers appear as separate male and female catkins, followed by clusters of winged nutlets that are loved by nesting songbirds. When winter comes, it exposes the trees' unique blue-gray bark and fluted branches.
American Hornbeam is a native of the northeastern United States. It is a deciduous hardwood tree, and, as an understory tree, it can be found below the high canopy of other trees. It can grow with as little as four hours of sunlight per day, and would look charming as a standalone tree beside a creek, on the edge of a woodland, or en masse as a hedge. Even though it can tolerate shade, when it gets more sunlight, it becomes more dense with more vivid colors.
American Hornbeam Care
American Hornbeam is low-maintenance and can tolerate many types of soils and pH as long as they are well-drained. It is an average consumer of water and is disease resistant. The Hornbeam is home to many types of birds and butterflies. After planting, it is recommended to protect the plant with a 2 to 3 inches of mulch. Fertilization needs for the American Hornbeam are minimal.
The American Hornbeam does not need a lot of pruning if left as a standalone tree. It is easy-to-grow, and all you need to do is clear any diseased, dead, or crossing branches. If used in a hedge, prune the hedge to your desired size and shape. You should plan on pruning your American Hornbeam in the fall after the leaves have dried up.
American Hornbeam Spacing
The American Hornbeam likes to be in cool areas. Choose locations where the soil temperature does not get too high, or is shaded during peak temperatures. If you are planting the Hornbeam for a hedge, space your trees at least 3 feet apart.
American Hornbeam Information
| USDA Hardiness Zones: 3 - 9 |
| Plant Type: Trees |
| Light Exposure: Full Shade to Full Sun (Can Grow In Most Sunlight Conditions) |
| Mature Height: 20 - 35 Feet |
| Mature Spread: 20 - 35 Feet |
| Spacing: 20 - 35 Feet |
| Habit: Upright |
| Flower Color(s): None |
| Flower Description: |
| Bloom Period: |
| Foliage Type: Deciduous |
| Foliage Color(s): Green |
| Foliage Description: Red, Orange And Yellow Fall Color |
| Seasonal Interest: Spring Flowering, Fall Interest |
| Watering: Average |
| Resists: Disease, Pests & Insects |
| Tolerates: Heat |
| Attracts: Birds |
| Container Role: |
| Uses: Specimen or Focal Point, Wildlife Gardens |
| Features: Attracts Pollinators, Foliage Interest, Native to North America |
| Brand: |
| Common Name: American Hornbeam |
| Other Name(s): |
| Scientific Name: CARPINUS CAROLINIANA |
- SKU:
- 1231013897-pc
Container Sizes
Please Note: The pictures below are to give a general representation of the different container sizes. The actual size/ages of plants are estimates and will vary based on; type of plant, time of year, last pruning & many other factors.
4.5" Pot
Also Known As:
4.5" Container
Plant Age:
~ 6 months
Plant Size:
~ 3"-6"
Pot Size:
~ 4.5"H x 3.75"W
Volume:
1.42 quarts
Quart Pot
Also Known As:
Quart
Plant Age:
~ 6 months - 1 year
Plant Size:
~ 4"-8"
Pot Size:
~ 4.75"H x 4.5"W
Volume:
1.50 quarts
2.5 Quart
Also Known As:
2.5 Quart Pot
Plant Age:
~ 1 - 2 years old
Plant Size:
~ 8"-12"
Pot Size:
~ 6.5"H x 6.5"W
Volume:
2.20-2.30 quarts
#1 Pot
Also Known As:
#1 Container
1 Gallon
Plant Age:
~ 1 - 2 years old
Plant Size:
~ 10"-14"
Pot Size:
~ 7"H x 7.75"W
Volume:
2.26-3.73 quarts
#2 Pot
Also Known As:
#2 Container
2 Gallon
Plant Age:
~ 1.5 - 3 years old
Plant Size:
~ 12"-18"
Pot Size:
~ 9.5"H x 9.5"W
Volume:
1.19-1.76 gallons
#3 Pot
Also Known As:
#3 Container
3 Gallon
Plant Age:
~ 2 - 4 years old
Plant Size:
~ 12"-30"
Pot Size:
~9.5"H x 11"W
Volume:
2.32-2.76 gallons
For more detailed information, please click here.
Plant Addicts Guarantee (Included On All Plant Orders)
Plant Addicts always guarantees your plant(s) will arrive happy & healthy. However, plant(s) are being shipped through the mail & sometimes accidents happen. If the plant is dead, has dried out roots or the incorrect item was shipped, just notify Plant Addicts within 3 days upon delivery. We may ask for pictures but will try to make it as easy as possible for you. Please note, plant(s) with damaged branches or wilted leaves will not qualify for this guarantee. Plants are very resilient and will rebound quickly when cared for correctly.
For more information on how to care for your new plants, please click on our guide below.
Guide: How to Care for Your New Plant(s)
Plant Addicts Warranty - 1 Year (Extra Purchase Required)
We encourage all plant lovers to purchase the Plant Addicts Warranty, whether you're a new gardener or an expert. There are many variables outside of anyone's control that can cause a plant to die. Hungry animals, drought, poor soil conditions, over watering, diseases & pests are all good examples of what can cause plants to die. The Plant Addicts Warranty is a 1 year warranty protecting you from all of the unknowns and will replace your plant if something were to happen to it.
The warranty is purchased on a per plant basis and must be purchased at the same time as the plant(s). We will cover 100% of the price of the plant, but the warranty does not cover shipping costs. SImply let us know if your plant has died within 1 year of receiving it and we will get you a new one shipped out as soon as possible (depending on the time of the year and availability). We may ask for photos for documentation purposes, but we try to make the process as easy as possible.
For more information, please click on our page below.
Plant Shipping
Below are some factors we consider when determining when to ship the plants depending on the timing of the order.
Winter to Early Spring
We ship only when it's warm enough to plant in your growing zone.
Sometimes plants aren't completely ready to sell and ship in early spring. We will wait until the plants are ready before shipping so you don't get a subpar product.
For Southern plants we will be able to ship much earlier than plants coming from our northern nursery.
Summer
If there is extreme heat we may delay shipping for a week or several weeks.
We review what areas the plants are traveling through as well as your location.
Fall into Winter
We’ll ship plants out all the way up to the end of the fall planting season!
Winter
Get your order in early to reserve your plants for Spring planting!
Once your plant is shipped you’ll receive an automated email with tracking information.
Click here for more detailed shipping information.
Planter Shipping
Standard Colors: 2-3 business days
Special Order Colors: 8 weeks - this is due to the planter being custom made with the color(s) of your choice
Please Note: On special orders there can not be any cancellations