carpinus betulus frans fontaine hornbeam

The Distinguished Carpinus Betulus ‘Frans Fontaine’ HornbeamThe Carpinus betulus ‘Frans Fontaine’ hornbeam is one of the most popular and distinguished cultivars of the European hornbeam tree With its upright, narrow form and lush green foliage, it makes an excellent vertical accent in landscapes and gardens In this article, we’ll explore the origins, notable attributes, landscape uses, and care for this exceptional hornbeam cultivar.

Origins of an Outstanding Cultivar
The ‘Frans Fontaine’ hornbeam arose in the 1930s as a chance seedling at the famous nursery of Frans Fontaine in Boskoop, Netherlands. It was named after the nursery’s owner and proved superior to the hornbeam species with its uniform narrow habit and urban tolerance. Other Carpinus betulus cultivars like ‘Fastigiata’ and ‘Pyramidalis’ share the columnar form but lack the consistency and vigor of ‘Frans Fontaine’. As a result, ‘Frans Fontaine’ emerged as the premier hornbeam for modern landscapes.

Striking AttributesMature ‘Frans Fontaine’ hornbeams reach 30-40 feet high and 15-20 feet wide. Their form is narrowly pyramidal to columnar, with strongly upright branching. The spring foliage emerges a rich green before darkening to a deep green in summer. Fall brings golden yellow to orange-red autumn tones with the leaves persisting into winter before dropping. ‘Frans Fontaine’ is hardy to USDA zone 4 and adapts well to diverse soils.

Perfect for Landscape Designs
With its tightly upright habit, ‘Frans Fontaine’ hornbeam serves as an exclamation point in gardens. It makes an excellent vertical accent along walkways, entries, and corners. Lines of ‘Frans Fontaine’ form striking alleyways and living screens. In formal designs, it lends structure pruned into hedges or topiaries. Its compact size also suits urban sites like sidewalk cutouts and small backyards.

Easy Care
Once established, ‘Frans Fontaine’ thrives on minimal care. It prefers full sun but accepts partial shade. Occasional pruning in early summer shapes and maintains its columnar form. Like other hornbeams, ‘Frans Fontaine’ exhibits excellent pest and disease resistance.

An Ideal Urban Tree
For small spaces seeking a refined vertical accent, few trees compare to the Carpinus betulus ‘Frans Fontaine’ hornbeam. This distinguished cultivar combines strong architecture, four-season appeal, adaptability to urban sites, and elegant proportions. The ‘Frans Fontaine’ hornbeam richly deserves its reputation as the premier hornbeam tree for modern landscapes.

Other Notable Hornbeam Cultivars
While ‘Frans Fontaine’ remains the most popular hornbeam cultivar, there are other Carpinus betulus cultivars worth considering:

• Carpinus betulus ‘Fastigiata’ – A upright, vase-shaped hornbeam reaching 40 feet tall and 20 feet wide. Offers a slightly broader form than ‘Frans Fontaine’.

• Carpinus betulus ‘Columnaris’ – Very narrow in growth, forming a dense columnar habit. Grows slower than ‘Frans Fontaine’, maturing at 25 feet tall and just 10 feet wide.

• Carpinus betulus ‘Monumentalis’ – Develops a narrowly upright oval form, a bit less columnar than ‘Frans Fontaine’. Grows 30-40 feet high and 15 feet wide.

• Carpinus betulus ‘Bornyensis’ – A dwarf hornbeam that matures at just 15 feet tall and 10 feet wide. Offers a globular, compact shape.

While these other Carpinus betulus cultivars have merits, ‘Frans Fontaine’ remains the most elegant and distinguished option for its uniform narrow habit, fast growth, and reliability in diverse landscapes. It sets the standard for hornbeams in modern garden design.

Growing Conditions
The ‘Frans Fontaine’ hornbeam adapts readily to various climates and soils. However, it performs best in the following conditions:

Climate – Thrives in USDA zones 4-7. Prefers cool summers and cold winters. Avoid hot, humid southern climates.

Sun – Grows well in full sun to partial shade. Needs some sun for best form and fall color.

Soil – Tolerates diverse soils including clay, loam, sand, acidic, and alkaline. Must have good drainage. Intolerant of wet soils.

Water – Needs occasional irrigation in dry periods once established. Avoid overwatering.

Maintenance – Requires occasional pruning in early summer to maintain its columnar form. Resistant to pests and diseases.

With its adaptability, the ‘Frans Fontaine’ hornbeam can succeed across diverse regions given appropriate siting and care. But it truly excels in cooler northern climates.

Designing With ‘Frans Fontaine’ Hornbeam
The strongly vertical form of the ‘Frans Fontaine’ hornbeam makes it ideally suited for certain landscape roles:

Accent – Makes a perfect narrow upright accent by entries, walkways, and street corners. Draws the eye upward.

Screening – Lines of ‘Frans Fontaine’ form tall, formal screening hedges and alleyways with minimal pruning.

Formal Pruning – Responds well to shearing into architectural shapes like spiraled, stacked, and cloud-pruned forms.

Grouping – Clustering several ‘Frans Fontaine’ hornbeams together amplifies their vertical impact. Allow some space between specimens.

Patio Tree – Its narrow habit adapts well to confined spaces near patios and terraces. Provides overhead foliage and seasonal color.

Container Accent – Works nicely in large planters and pots to flank entries or frame focal points. Keep roots cool in summer.

The bold vertical nature of ‘Frans Fontaine’ hornbeam contrasts well with spreading groundcovers, perennials, and low shrubs in the landscape. It also pairs elegantly with other narrow trees like columnar oak and upright juniper cultivars. Avoid planting beneath overhead utilities or other low obstructions.

Whether standalone or grouped, ‘Frans Fontaine’ hornbeam makes a distinguishing vertical statement in gardens and landscapes. It serves as an exclamation point contrasting the soft textures and forms of other plants.

Hornbeam trees are known for their hardiness and adaptability, making them a popular choice for hedges and landscaping. They offer a formal appearance, are relatively low-maintenance, and can tolerate various conditions, including some flooding.