Source: David J Stang
Plant Names
Ostrya virginiana
Eastern Hop-hornbeam
Ostryer de Virginie
Synonyms
American hop-hornbeam
hop-hornbeam
ironwood
leverwood
bois à levier
bois de fer
bois dur
ostryer de la Virginie
Plant Characteristics
Bloom Colour: Green
Bloom Period: Apr - Apr
Max Height: 40.0 feet
Max Width: 20.0 feet
Light Condition:
More than 6 hours of direct sun a day
More than 2 or 3 hours but less than 6 hours of direct sun a day
Soil conditions:
Tolerates medium soil condition
More than 6 hours of direct sun a day
More than 2 or 3 hours but less than 6 hours of direct sun a day
Tolerates medium soil condition
Lifespan:
Perennial
plants that will come back year after year
Gardener Experience:
Does not spread uncontrollably
Self-seeding
Does not spread uncontrollably
Self-seeding
Landscape Uses:
Suitable for rock gardens
Suitable for shoreline rehabilitation
Suitable for rock gardens
Suitable for shoreline rehabilitation
Ecological Benefits:
Supports pollinators
Butterfly host
Supports pollinators
Butterfly host
Tolerates:
Deer resistant
Rabbit resistant
Tolerates acidic soil conditions
Deer resistant
Rabbit resistant
Tolerates acidic soil conditions
Special Features and Considerations:
Seed and plant distribution status
No seeds available for this plant.
We currently accept seeds for this plant
Fun Facts
Eastern Hop-hornbeam is a mid-sized, moderately drought tolerant winner for urban lots. It rarely grows more than a foot thick, with an oval crown. It is suitable beneath overhead utility lines because of its moderate size.
Eastern Hop-hornbeam fares poorly with flooding. It is slow-growing but requires very little maintenance. It adapts well to poor, rocky, and dry soils. It is benefits birds who eat the seeds.
Eastern Hop-hornbeam fares poorly with flooding. It is slow-growing but requires very little maintenance. It adapts well to poor, rocky, and dry soils. It is benefits birds who eat the seeds.
Plant Location
Native to Ottawa region: Yes
Distribution according to VASCAN
Ephemeral
Native
Introduced
Excluded
Extirpated
Doubtful
Absent
Canadensis
Thrives in Ecozones
- Atlantic Maritime
- Boreal Plains
- Boreal Shield
- Mixed Wood Plains
Ecological Benefits
Butterflies Supported by Ostrya virginiana
No butterfly data available for this plant.
Specialized Bees Supported by Ostrya virginiana
No bee data available for this plant.
Complementary Plants
- No complementary plants found.
Substitute For Non-Native Plants
- Rhamnus cathartica (Common Buckthorn)
- Rhamnus frangula (Glossy Buckthorn)
- Magnoliaceae (Magnolia)
- Acer japonicum (Japanese Maple)
- Acer platanoides (Norway Maple)
Sowing Information
Download Seed Envelope Labels (PDF)
- Sowing depth: Sow just below surface
- Sow anytime
- Stratification duration: 0 days
- Self-seeding
- Notes: Soak for 24h.
Harvesting and Seed Sharing
- Harvest start month: September
- Harvesting indicator:
- Pods are brown, seeds are dark, and crisp, and little stem connecting the pod to the main stem is brown (not green)
- Harvesting:
- Open the pod, remove seeds
- Seed viability test:
- No test needed before donating
- Packaging measure: Six (6) seeds (eyeball)
- Seed storage:
- Air dry in paper bag or open container, for a few days until crisp
- Shake seeds to move them once in a while to prevent molding
- Cultivar: No, you can donate without knowing the source as there are only straight species
- Remove non-seed material
- No harvesting video available at this time.
Toxicity Notes
Inadequate information on toxicity found.