Fagus sylvatica 'Purpurea Tricolor' (v)

RHS Plant Profile

beech 'Purpurea Tricolor'

Synonyms

Fagus sylvatica 'Roseomarginata'
Fagus sylvatica 'Tricolor' misapplied
Fagus 'Purple Tricolor'

Trees

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A medium-sized tree eventually to 15m. The leaves open red-purple with an irregular pink margin in spring, becoming purple with pale pink-cream by summer. In autumn they become dark gold before falling.

Position

Full sun, Partial shade

Soil Types

Chalk, Clay, Loam, Sand

Max Height

Higher than 12 metres

Max Spread

wider than 8 metres

Size

Time to Maturity: 20–50 years
Max Spread: wider than 8 metres
Max Height: Higher than 12 metres

Growing Conditions

Chalk Clay Loam Sand

Moisture: Moist but well–drained or Well–drained
pH: Acid or Alkaline or Neutral

Position

Full sun Partial shade

Aspect: East–facing or North–facing or South–facing or West–facing
Exposure: Exposed or Sheltered
Hardiness

Hardiness Ratings

All ratings refer to the UK growing conditions unless otherwise stated. Minimum temperature ranges (in degrees C) are shown in brackets

H1A: under glass all year (>15C)
H1B: can be grown outside in the summer (10 - 15)
H1C: can be grown outside in the summer (5 - 10)
H2: tolerant of low temperatures, but not surviving being frozen (1 to 5)
H3: hardy in coastal and relatively mild parts of the UK (-5 to 1)
H4: hardy through most of the UK (-10 to -5)
H5: hardy in most places throughout the UK even in severe winters (-15 to -10)
H6: hardy in all of UK and northern Europe (-20 to -15)
H7: hardy in the severest European continental climates (< -20): H6

Colour & Scent

Season	Stem	Flower	Foliage	Fruit
Spring
Summer
Autumn
Winter

Botanical Details

Family: Fagaceae
Native to GB/Ireland: No
Foliage: Deciduous
Habit: Spreading branched
Potentially harmful: Pets (dogs): Harmful if eaten. For further information and contact numbers regarding pets, see the HTA guide to potentially harmful plants
Genus: Fagus are large deciduous trees with smooth grey bark, ovate leaves colouring well in autumn, and inconspicuous flowers followed by usually spiny fruits
Name Status: Accepted

How to Grow

Cultivation

Suitable for large gardens. Grow in any deep fertile soil in good light. For more information see tree cultivation.

Propagation

Propagate by grafting

Suggested planting locations and garden types

Architectural
Hedging and screens

Pruning

Pruning group 1; or can be trimmed to a hedge

Pests

May be susceptible to aphids and beech scale

Diseases

May be susceptible to beech bark disease, fungi (particulary bracket fungi) and powdery mildews. Sometimes susceptible to honey fungus