Ostrya carpinifolia Marja Findling - European Hop-Hornbeam

The Ostrya carpinifolia 'Marja Findling' is a dwarf hop hornbeam variety, rare in cultivation. It is characterised by a rounded and flattened growth habit that is grafted onto a more or less tall stem. Over the years, it forms a small tree with an original habit, displaying a spreading crown. The scaly bark of its trunk is attractive, its spring flowering in long catkins is abundant, its decorative fruits resemble those of hops, and its deciduous foliage turns a beautiful golden yellow in autumn. An interesting specimen to plant as a standalone in a garden.

The hop hornbeam, known as Ostrya carpinifolia in Latin, also called ironwood in some regions, belongs to the birch family, just like birch and hornbeam. It is native to southwestern Europe and Turkey, where it thrives alongside Aleppo pine, maritime pine, and downy oak, mostly on rocky slopes and in poor soil. This species has produced some interesting cultivars, notably 'Marja Findling', which has become very popular in Eastern Europe since 2017.

The Ostrya carpinifolia 'Marja Findling' typically reaches 7m in height with a spread of 4 to 5m (crown width). In very favourable conditions, it can reach a height of 12m. It has a slow growth rate. Its leaves are deciduous, alternate, and dentate, with a slightly pubescent surface, especially on the underside. They have 12 to 15 pairs of very prominent veins. The flowers, appearing in April or May, are clustered in the form of catkins. The male flowers are pendulous catkins of a yellowish colour, while the female flowers are upright, terminal catkins. After pollination, a pendant fruit forms, measuring 3 to 5cm in length, with a yellow-orange to beige colour, closely resembling hop cones.

This 'Marja Findling' hop hornbeam is appreciated for its unpretentious originality and its ease of cultivation. It is undemanding and can adapt to poor soils. It is less bulky than the wild species and is better suited to our gardens, including Mediterranean areas. It can be planted in front of a grove composed of holm oak, Montpellier maple, Persian ironwood, or burning bush, to introduce beautiful autumn colours into the landscape. It also makes a beautiful standalone specimen on a short grass meadow in a large natural garden.