The coppery cousin of European beech was first recorded in 15th century Germany.
The coppery cousin of European beech was first recorded in 15th century Germany.
Photography by Britt Willoughby Dyer for Gardenista, except where noted.
Photography by Britt Willoughby Dyer for Gardenista, except where noted.
Copper Beech, Fagus sylvatica ‘Purpurea’: “Character Actor”
Copper Beech, Fagus sylvatica ‘Purpurea’: “Character Actor”
Copper beech really is coppery in the great outdoors, turning more green in late summer.
Copper beech really is coppery in the great outdoors, turning more green in late summer.
A copper beech tree in the landscape or near a house is often described as a “magnificent” copper beech.
A copper beech tree in the landscape or near a house is often described as a “magnificent” copper beech.
The great 20th century landscaper Russell Page writes in his classic The Education of a Gardener: “Nothing destroys the harmony of a garden more than the dark blotch of a copper beech.” It can work, he concedes, as a single large specimen by a house of old brick, or as part of a park landscape.
The great 20th century landscaper Russell Page writes in his classic The Education of a Gardener: “Nothing destroys the harmony of a garden more than the dark blotch of a copper beech.” It can work, he concedes, as a single large specimen by a house of old brick, or as part of a park landscape.
Designer Arne Maynard’s designs feature platforms and cuboids of copper beech, as well as more timeless pleaching.
Designer Arne Maynard’s designs feature platforms and cuboids of copper beech, as well as more timeless pleaching.
Photograph by Britt Willoughby Dyer courtesy of Arne Maynard Garden Design.
Photograph by Britt Willoughby Dyer courtesy of Arne Maynard Garden Design.
Purple works with purple, and copper beech can make a harmonious scene with purple-leaved plum, copper hazel, purple-leaved birch, black elder, smoke bush, and purple-red berberis.
Purple works with purple, and copper beech can make a harmonious scene with purple-leaved plum, copper hazel, purple-leaved birch, black elder, smoke bush, and purple-red berberis.
A young copper beech tree is complemented by the green foliage of a young lime (or linden) tree.
A young copper beech tree is complemented by the green foliage of a young lime (or linden) tree.
Photograph by Jim Powell.
Photograph by Jim Powell.
Particularly good purple forms of copper beech, each with an Award of Garden Merit from the Royal Horticultural Society, are Fagus sylvatica ‘Riversii’ and the fastigiate ‘Dawyck Purple’.
Particularly good purple forms of copper beech, each with an Award of Garden Merit from the Royal Horticultural Society, are Fagus sylvatica ‘Riversii’ and the fastigiate ‘Dawyck Purple’.
Planting beneath beech can be a problem, because its leaves tightly overlap and can prevent rain from reaching the ground beneath.
Planting beneath beech can be a problem, because its leaves tightly overlap and can prevent rain from reaching the ground beneath.
Photograph courtesy of Houghton Hall.
Photograph courtesy of Houghton Hall.
The Sybil Hedge, by Anya Gallaccio, at Houghton Hall in Norfolk. At Houghton Hall (above), a sinuous hedge is a surprise in the wilderness of trees contained behind a barrier of pleached limes.
The Sybil Hedge, by Anya Gallaccio, at Houghton Hall in Norfolk. At Houghton Hall (above), a sinuous hedge is a surprise in the wilderness of trees contained behind a barrier of pleached limes.
• Foliage of copper beech grown from seed is more variable in color than in grafted varieties. • Grown as a hedge on stilts (or pleached) the density of leaves is reduced, making the shade lighter and the ground beneath less dry.
• Foliage of copper beech grown from seed is more variable in color than in grafted varieties. • Grown as a hedge on stilts (or pleached) the density of leaves is reduced, making the shade lighter and the ground beneath less dry.
Cheat Sheet
Cheat Sheet
• Though copper beech tolerates sun and shade, purple foliage will be less purple in shade.
• Though copper beech tolerates sun and shade, purple foliage will be less purple in shade.
Keep It Alive
Keep It Alive
A stand of copper beech in a setting of green trees.
A stand of copper beech in a setting of green trees.
