Betula utilis var. jacquemontii Doorenbos - Himalayan Birch

Betula utilis var. jacquemontii 'Doorenbos', better known as the Himalayan white birch, is a staple in white gardens and modern gardens thanks to its very white bark.

The Himalayan birch is a tall tree with an open and light branching habit, reaching a height of 15 m to 18 m (49.2 ft to 59 ft). Its medium green to dark green foliage is deciduous. The heart-shaped leaves measure 5 cm to 7 cm (2 in to 2.8 in) in length and 4 cm to 5 cm (1.6 in to 2 in) in width, turning golden yellow in autumn. The flowers are represented by yellow-green catkins in April-May.

The main attraction of the Himalayan birch is its sublime pure white bark throughout the year, sometimes revealing brown wood during exfoliation. However, it stands out particularly in winter! It lends itself to superb combinations with other remarkable winter plants such as multicoloured Cornus or fragrant winter-flowering Hamamelis. It also allows for playing with black and white contrasts if paired, for example, with ophiopogons, certain hellebores, or the foliage of 'Black Lace' elderberry in summer.

Tip: once its foliage has completely fallen in autumn, clean its trunk with slightly soapy water to bring out its "whiter than white" bark!