Life Span
Biennial
Perennial
Type
Tree
Succulent
Origin
-
Southern Africa
Types
Chinese red birch, Betula fruticosa, Betula ermanii
Limpopo, Prostrata, Aurea, Medio Picta
Number of Varieties
6030
0
40000
👆🏻
Habitat
Rocky areas, Sandy areas, Well Drained, Wet forest, Wet ground, Wet lands
Dry areas, Lower slopes, Rocky areas
USDA Hardiness Zone
4-710-12
0
99
👆🏻
AHS Heat Zone
7-1
10-1
Sunset Zone
A2, A3, 1a, 1b, 2a, 2b, 3a, 3b, 4, 5, 6, 7, 14, 15, 16
8, 9, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24
Habit
Pyramidal
Twisted/Contorted
Plant Size
Minimum Height
1,219.20 cm250.00 cm
0
3900
👆🏻
Minimum Width
762.00 cm121.00 cm
0
6350
👆🏻
Plant Color
Flower Color
Yellow, Tan
Pink
Flower Color Modifier
Bicolor
-
Fruit Color
Bronze, Sandy Brown
Green, Red
Leaf Color in Spring
-
Green
Leaf Color in Summer
-
Green
Leaf Color in Fall
Yellow, Red, Orange
Green
Leaf Color in Winter
-
Green
Shape
Leaf Shape
Heart-shaped
Succulent
Thorns
✔
✘
✔
✘
Plant Season
Spring, Summer, Fall, Winter
Spring, Summer, Fall, Winter
Growing Conditions
Sunlight
Full Sun, Partial Sun
Full Sun, Partial Sun, Partial shade
Growth Rate
Medium
Fast
Type of Soil
Loam
Loam, Sand
The pH of Soil
Acidic, Neutral
Acidic, Neutral, Alkaline
Soil Drainage
Average
Well drained
Bloom Time
Early Spring
Late Spring
Repeat Bloomer
✔
✘
✔
✘
Tolerances
-
Drought, Dry soil, Heat Tolerance
Where to Plant?
Ground
Container, Ground, Pot
How to Plant?
Seedlings, Stem Planting
Seedlings, Stem Planting
Plant Maintenance
Medium
Low
Watering Plants
Watering Requirements
Average Water Needs, Medium
Average Water Needs, Needs less watering
In Summer
Lots of watering
Ample Water
In Spring
Moderate
Less Watering
In Winter
Average Water
Less Watering
Soil
Soil pH
Acidic, Neutral
Acidic, Neutral, Alkaline
Soil Type
Loam
Loam, Sand
Soil Drainage Capacity
Average
Well drained
Sun Exposure
Full Sun, Partial Sun
Full Sun, Partial Sun, Partial shade
Pruning
Prune in early spring, Prune in late winter, Remove damaged leaves, Remove dead branches, Remove dead leaves, Remove dead or diseased plant parts, Remove short branches
Prune if you want to improve plant shape, Remove damaged leaves, Remove dead branches, Remove dead leaves, Remove dead or diseased plant parts
Fertilizers
All-Purpose Liquid Fertilizer, Fertilize in early spring, Fertilize in late fall, Nitrogen
All-Purpose Liquid Fertilizer, Fertilize in early spring, Fertilize late winter
Pests and Diseases
Red blotch
Pests and diseases free
Plant Tolerance
-
Drought, Dry soil, Heat Tolerance
Flowers
Insignificant
Showy
Flower Petal Number
-
Single
Fruits
Showy Fruit
✔
✘
✔
✘
Edible Fruit
✔
✘
✔
✘
Fragrance
Fragrant Flower
✔
✘
✔
✘
Fragrant Fruit
✔
✘
✔
✘
Fragrant Leaf
✔
✘
✔
✘
Fragrant Bark/Stem
✔
✘
✔
✘
Showy Foliage
✔
✘
✔
✘
Showy Bark
✔
✘
✔
✘
Foliage Texture
Medium
Bold
Foliage Sheen
Glossy
Matte
Evergreen
✔
✘
✔
✘
Invasive
✔
✘
✔
✘
Self-Sowing
✔
✘
✔
✘
Attracts
Ants, Birds, Insects
Butterflies
Allergy
Itchiness, Pollen, Sore Throat
-
Uses
Aesthetic Uses
-
Beautification, Bonsai, Showy Purposes
Beauty Benefits
Good for skin, Skin Problems
Good for skin, Improve skin condition, Skin cleanser, Skin inflammation, Skin irritation, Skin Problems
Edible Uses
✔
✘
✔
✘
Environmental Uses
Air purification, Shadow Tree
Air purification, Erosion control, Food for birds, Indoor Air Purification, Prevent Soil Erosion, Shelter for wildlife, Wildlife
Plant Benefits
Medicinal Uses
anti-inflammatory, Arthritis, Bone strength, Dermatitis, Eczema, Eliminate toxins, Heart problems, High cholestrol, Immunity, Kidney problems
Dehydration, Diabetes, Skin Disorders, Skin irritation, Sore throat
Part of Plant Used
Whole plant
Leaves, Stem
Other Uses
Used in paper industry
Animal Feed, Showy Purposes, Used As Food, Used as Ornamental plant, Used for its medicinal properties, Used in salads
Used As Indoor Plant
✔
✘
✔
✘
Used As Outdoor Plant
✔
✘
✔
✘
Garden Design
Feature Plant, Mixed Border, Shade Trees
Container, Rock Garden, Wall, Tropical
Botanical Name
BETULA 'Crimson Frost'
PORTULACARIA afra
Common Name
Birch, Crimson Frost Birch
Porkbush, Dwarf jade plant, Spekboom
In Hindi
भोज पत्र
Elephant Bush
In German
Birke
Elephant Bush
In French
Arbre de bouleau
Elephant Bush
In Spanish
Abedul
elefante Bush
In Greek
Birch Tree
ελέφαντας Μπους
In Portuguese
bétula
elefante de Bush
In Polish
Brzoza
Elephant Bush
In Latin
Caerulus
bush elephant
Kingdom
Plantae
Plantae
Phylum
Magnoliophyta
Embryophyta
Class
Magnoliopsida
Magnoliopsida
Order
Fagales
Caryophyllales
Family
Betulaceae
Portulacaceae
Genus
Betula
Portulacaria
Clade
Angiosperms, Eudicots, Rosids
Angiosperms, Core eudicots, Eudicots
Tribe
-
-
Subfamily
Carpinaceae
Portulacarioideae
Number of Species
341
1
27800
👆🏻