Leaves are green in Summer and in the Autumn they turn dark brown.These leaves are retained by the plant until Spring when the new leaves grow resulting in a hedge that is never bare.The hedge can be trimmed into any shape or size and will tolerate most conditions including shade and exposed areas. Growing Details Common Name: Hornbeam Genus: Carpinus Species: betulus Skill Level: Beginner Exposure: Full sun, Partial shade Hardiness: Hardy Soil type: Well-drained/light, Clay/heavy, Chalky/alkaline Height: 2500cm Spread: 2000cm Spacing: 3 Plants Per Metre in Single Row, 5 Plants Per Metre in Double Row Description Similar in appearance to beech, hornbeam makes a superb specimen tree or hedging plant. Grown as a tree, it has a pyramidal shape that later becomes more rounded. As a formal hedge it requires clipping once a year in mid- to late summer to keep it looking tidy. Although it is deciduous, it retains it's coppery dead leaves throughout the winter so it remains an effective screen. Green catkins appear in spring and winged nuts develop in autumn. Plant 15-45cm(6-18 inches) apart depending on how thick you want your hedge to be.