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Fothergilla gardenii Witch Alder
Fothergilla gardenii (Witch Alder). Photo © Mary Free
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Ostrya virginiana ([Eastern] Hop-hornbeam, Ironwood)

Ostrya virginiana, Eastern Hop Hornbeam leaves
Ostrya virginiana, Eastern Hop Hornbeam trees in landscape
Ostrya virginiana, Eastern Hop Hornbeam . The fruit - resembles hops and consists of clusters of leafy, oval, papery sacs.
Ostrya virginiana, Eastern Hop Hornbeam. The fruit - resembles hops and consists of clusters of leafy, oval, papery sacs.
Ostrya virginiana, Eastern Hop Hornbeam shaggy bark

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Despite being one of the hardest of native* woods, Hop-hornbeam is undesirable in commercial forests. It provides interest as an ornamental though, with fluted trunk, exfoliating bark, and drooping clusters of sac- like pods that resemble the fruit of hops, hence its common name. Tree Tree, Flowers, Close-up of Fruit/Leaves, Bark Height: 25-50 feet Spread: 20-35 feet Bloom Color: Tan/brown (male), light green (female) Characteristics Small, graceful, deciduous, understory tree with rounded top and long slender branches Oval, sharply-serrated, dark yellow-green leaves Flowers–male (present through winter) and female (April to June)–appear as catkins on the same tree Fruit resembling hops consists of clusters of leafy, oval, papery sacs, each containing a nutlet Yellow or copper fall leaves may persist into winter Gray-brown, twisting trunk with “muscle-like” features and narrow rectangular strips of exfoliating bark Attributes Tolerates clay, rocky, and dry soils and sun; intolerant of flooding and especially of salt No serious pests or diseases; deer seldom severely damage Adaptable but slow-growing Attracts birds like downy woodpecker, purple finch Growing and Maintenance Tips Excellent Replacement for Soil Requirements: Moist, well-drained Ailanthus altissima - Tree of Heaven Light Requirements: Partial Shade, Shade Water Requirements: Dry, Moist Transplant as a balled or burlapped plant Use as an ornamental lawn or street tree, or in a woodland garden *It is native to DC and most counties in PA. In DE, it is rare in the Piedmont and absent in the Coastal Plain. In VA, it is common in the mountains, frequent in the Piedmont, and infrequent in the Coastal Plain. Hardiness: USDA Zones 3-9 developed by Master Gardeners of Northern Virginia, serving Arlington and Alexandria Images by Elaine Mills, National Garden, U.S. Botanic Garden and Meadowlark Botanical Gardens and by Mary Free (bottom left), Arlington, VA

Tried and True Native Plant Selections
for the Mid-Atlantic 

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Ostrya virginiana ([Eastern] Hop-hornbeam, Ironwood)

Despite being one of the hardest of native* woods, Hop-hornbeam is undesirable in commercial forests. It provides interest as an ornamental though, with fluted trunk, exfoliating bark, and drooping clusters of sac- like pods that resemble the fruit of hops, hence its common name.

*It is native to DC and most counties in PA. In DE, it is rare in the Piedmont and absent in the Coastal Plain. In VA, it is common in the mountains, frequent in the Piedmont, and infrequent in the Coastal Plain.

Learn more about other Mid-Atlantic plants: 
Tried and True Native Plant Fact Sheets