Talk about a tough survivor of a plant, Eastern Hophornbeam will tolerate the poorest, rockiest soil and thrive while providing outstanding nest and cover for native songbirds. Round growing, this easy to grow small tree covers itself with 5″ long, deep green, Birch-like foliage starting in April, right about the time its flowers are fully in view. Eastern Hophornbeam has both make and female flowers with the male ones being the larger and more persistent with big, catkin-like blooms that will keep showing into the following winter after the foliage has fallen off. Female flower develop a fruit that looks like Hops giving this plant its name. Plant this selection in full sun, keep it moist the first year then let it go on its own…it is so tolerant and easy to grow that the only thing you’ll ever have to do after the first year is watch the birds that nest in its branches!