CARPINUS fangiana

Description

The Plant

CARPINUS FANGIANA, also called Fang hornbeam or monkey-tail hornbeam, is one of the extremely rare ornamental trees. It is distinguished above all by its enormous catkins, which can reach up to 50 cm in length. Just imagine that on a tree! These are the longest catkins of all hornbeam species.

These impressive flowers appear in May-June. They begin with a white-green color and then turn brown when they become mature.

Moreover, its spring shoots are purple to brown in color and its foliage is glabrous. The leaves measure up to 27 cm long. In summer, they show a delightful green while in autumn they turn orange.

Finally, the monkey-tail hornbeam combines the resilience of hornbeams with an incomparable floral display.

History and Origin

The CARPINUS fangiana comes to us from southern China (Sichuan, eastern Yunnan, northern Guangxi and Guizhou). It is found there in mountain valleys at altitudes of 900 to 2000 m.

Moreover, it was formally described for the first time in 1929 by Hu Hsen-Hsu in the Journal of the Arnold Arboretum. It was named in honor of W. C. Fang, a Chinese plant collector who significantly contributed to the study of Chinese flora.

It is sometimes described as a mythical hornbeam in horticulture for its rarity and its extraordinary catkins. Moreover, its synonyms include CARPINUS wilsoniana ‘Hu’.

How to plant and care for CARPINUS fangiana?

The Planting

For a good planting, consider the following points:

1. Find it a place in full sun or partial shade.
2. The place must be moderately moist.
3. The soil can be light or normal with an acidic, neutral or calcareous pH.
4. For proper preparation of the planting hole, we have designed specific instructions available here.

The Caring

Ensure regular watering during the first two years of planting during dry periods to ensure good establishment. Also read our tips on how to water well and save water here.

If you need to prune, do it in January or February before the new growth.