PlantsShade & Groundcovers
American Hornbeam
Carpinus caroliniana ssp. virginiana
Chicago-region native. Suited to zone 6a.
Small understory tree for shade Fits Native Plant Gardens.
Native Plant GardensEasyShade & GroundcoversAlso Trees
- Light
- Part shade–shade
- Moisture
- Medium–moist
- Mature size
- 12–25 ft
- Spacing
- 12–20 ft
- Bloom or harvest
- Flowers spring; fall color
- How it spreads
- Small tree
- What to buy
- Container or balled-and-burlapped; bare-root in early spring.
- When to plant
- Early Apr–May after soil thaws and drains; Sep–mid Oct for container/B&B. Bare-root: early spring.
In the design
Confirm overhead and underground clearance before planting; keep large trees north or west of food beds to reduce shade.
