- Botanical name: Fagus sylvatica f. purpurea
- Common name: Copper beech
- Family: Fagaceae
- Plant Type: Tree, Deciduous
Pink
Bronze
Purple
- Key features:
- Attractive to wildlife
- Autumn colour
The European beech, Fagus sylvatica, is a large deciduous tree that can reach 40 metres tall when fully grown. In gardens, beech is a popular plant for hedging and pleaching. In autumn, the glossy green leaves turn beautiful shades of yellow and orange. Like hornbeam, beech has marcescent leaves i.e. dead leaves that are held on the plant through winter, before being pushed off by newly emerging leaves in spring.
Beech trees tend to be found growing on well-drained soils, particularly chalk and limestone soils.
Fagus sylvatica f. purpurea is a beautiful variant commonly known as copper beech, with deep purple-bronze foliage, making it a more dramatic alternative to the species. For best results, grow Fagus sylvatica f. purpurea in full sun or partial shade, in a well-drained soil.
How to grow Fagus sylvatica
-
Plant size
40m height
8m spread
-
Aspect
East facing, south facing, west facing
- Sun exposure: Full sun, dappled shade, partial shade
- Hardiness: Hardy
- Soil type: Well drained / light / sandy / clay / heavy / moist / chalky / alkaline / acidic
Plant calendar
| Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Plant | ||||||||||||
| Plant |
J
Do Plant in January |
F
Do not Plant in February |
M
Do not Plant in March |
A
Do not Plant in April |
M
Do not Plant in May |
J
Do not Plant in June |
J
Do not Plant in July |
A
Do not Plant in August |
S
Do not Plant in September |
O
Do Plant in October |
N
Do Plant in November |
D
Do Plant in December |
| Flowers | ||||||||||||
| Flowers |
J
Plant does not flower in January |
F
Plant does not flower in February |
M
Plant does not flower in March |
A
Plant does flower in April |
M
Plant does flower in May |
J
Plant does not flower in June |
J
Plant does not flower in July |
A
Plant does not flower in August |
S
Plant does not flower in September |
O
Plant does not flower in October |
N
Plant does not flower in November |
D
Plant does not flower in December |
Fagus sylvatica and wildlife
Fagus sylvatica is known for attracting beneficial insects and birds. It provides shelter and habitat, makes a good wildlife hedge, has seeds for birds and is a caterpillar food plant.
Does not attract Bees
Attractive to Beneficial insects
Attractive to Birds
Does not attract Butterflies/Moths
Does not attract Other pollinators
Is Fagus sylvatica poisonous?
Fagus sylvatica has no toxic effects reported.
No reported toxicity to Birds
No reported toxicity to Cats
No reported toxicity to Dogs
No reported toxicity to Horses
No reported toxicity to Livestock
No reported toxicity to People
Plants that go well with Fagus sylvatica
