Guide to Beech Hedging: Green and Purple Varieties

Beech hedging has long been a favourite choice for gardeners and landscapers, offering both aesthetic beauty and practical benefits. Known for its vibrant seasonal colours and the ability to create dense, durable barriers, beech hedging (particularly the green and purple varieties) adds a timeless appeal to any landscape. Here, we’ll explore the characteristics of green and purple beech hedging, delve into the history of its popularity, and offer advice on growing and maintaining this versatile hedge.

Quick Facts about Beech Hedging

• Excellent as hedging
• Select Beech for a bold statement
• Beeches are long-lived trees or hedges
• Good on any free-draining soil, including chalk
• Not suitable for regions prone to drought
• Grows in sun or part shade
• Trim hedges annually in August and recondition in February
• Hedges retain old leaves in winter

The History of Beech Hedging

The use of beech (Fagus) in hedging dates back centuries. Native to Europe, beech trees were originally found in the temperate regions of the continent, thriving in well-drained soils and providing both timber and natural barriers. The beech tree’s popularity as a hedge plant likely began in medieval times, when it was used to outline property boundaries and protect crops from livestock. Its dense growth habit and tolerance to trimming made it an ideal candidate for hedging.

Over time, the practice of using beech as a hedge spread across Europe and eventually to other parts of the world. The adaptability of beech, along with its ability to retain old leaves through winter, adds to its appeal. This feature, known as marcescence, is particularly valuable in creating a semi-evergreen hedge, providing privacy and structure even in the colder months.

Green Beech (Fagus sylvatica)

Green beech, scientifically known as *Fagus sylvatica*, is the more common of the two varieties and is often used in formal garden settings. In spring and summer, green beech hedges are lush and vibrant, with glossy, oval-shaped leaves that turn a rich golden bronze in the autumn. The leaves then dry to a coppery hue and remain on the branches throughout winter, offering a warm, earthy colour to the landscape until the new leaves push them off in spring.

One of the key benefits of green beech is its versatility. It can be trimmed to create both low hedges and taller screens, making it suitable for a variety of garden designs. Additionally, green beech is known for its resilience and can thrive in a wide range of soil types, although it prefers well-drained, slightly acidic soils.

Purple Beech (Fagus sylvatica ‘Purpurea’)

Purple beech, also known as Copper beech, is a striking variation of the green beech, characterised by its deep purple, almost black foliage. This variety, *Fagus sylvatica ‘Purpurea’*, brings a dramatic flair to gardens and is often used to create focal points or as an accent in mixed hedges. Like the green beech, purple beech retains its leaves through winter, but the foliage turns a coppery brown, offering a unique and eye-catching contrast to the more common green hues of winter gardens.

Purple beech is slightly less vigorous than its green counterpart, which can be an advantage in smaller gardens where a slower-growing hedge is desired. However, it still retains the same hardy characteristics, including tolerance to trimming and adaptability to different soil conditions.

Growing Beech Hedges: Green and Purple

Beech hedges are typically grown from seed, a process that requires patience but can yield beautiful results. When growing purple beech from seed, it’s interesting to note that not all seedlings will produce purple foliage; in fact, around half may revert to the green form. This natural variation adds an element of surprise and diversity to your hedge.

To plant a beech hedge, choose a location with well-drained soil and plenty of sunlight. Beech hedges prefer slightly acidic to neutral pH levels and can struggle in waterlogged conditions. When planting, space the saplings about 18 inches apart for a dense hedge, and water regularly until established.

Site your more established Beech Hedge or tree in the sun or part shade. Purple-leaved forms colour up deepest in full sun while golden leaved forms scorch less if planted in light shade. Young beech leaves can be killed by late frosts, so try to avoid planting them in frost pockets. And, also, stay clear of wet areas in the garden as roots may rot off in

Pruning is essential to maintaining the shape and health of your beech hedge. The best time to prune is late summer or early autumn, after the growth spurt of spring and before the leaves change colour. Regular pruning will encourage bushy growth and prevent the hedge from becoming too leggy.

The Semi-Evergreen Nature of Beech Hedges

One of the unique features of beech hedges is their semi-evergreen nature. Unlike fully evergreen plants, beech holds onto its leaves throughout the winter, although the leaves do turn a coppery colour. This characteristic is particularly valuable for those looking to maintain year-round privacy and structure in their gardens without the uniformity of a traditional evergreen hedge.

The term “Copper Beech” is often used to describe this winter foliage, which provides a warm, glowing effect on the landscape, especially when the low winter sun shines through the leaves.

Beech Hedging – Purple and Green Varieties

Beech hedging, whether green or purple, offers a combination of beauty, practicality, and historical significance that few other plants can match. Its ability to adapt to different environments, coupled with its unique semi-evergreen characteristics, makes it an enduring choice for gardeners around the world. Whether you’re looking to create a formal boundary or add a splash of colour to your garden, beech hedges are a versatile and reliable option.

By understanding the characteristics of both green and purple beech, you can choose the best variety for your garden and enjoy the timeless beauty that these hedges bring throughout the year.