Fagus syl. Atropurpurea / Copper or Purple Beech hedge

Description

Common Name: Purple Beech Hedge, Copper Beech
Botanical Name: Fagus sylvatica ‘Atropurpurea’
Plant Type: Deciduous hedge
Mature Height: 1.5-5m (as hedge)
Mature Spread: 60-90cm (hedge width)
Flowering Period: April-May (inconspicuous)
Flower Colour: Yellowish-green catkins
Foliage: Deep purple-red turning bronze-copper, retained through winter
Hardiness: RHS H7 (very hardy throughout UK and Ireland)
Soil Requirements: Well-drained, fertile soil, tolerates chalk
Aspect: Full sun to partial shade
Maintenance: Moderate (annual trimming required)

Description

Like walls of burnished copper gleaming in sunlight, Fagus sylvatica ‘Atropurpurea’ hedging brings dramatic colour and timeless sophistication to gardens with its spectacular display of deep purple-red foliage that transforms through the seasons, creating one of the most striking and distinctive hedges for Irish landscapes. This magnificent deciduous hedge embodies centuries of aristocratic garden heritage with its dense, formal structure that provides year-round privacy whilst offering the extraordinary characteristic of rich burgundy leaves that deepen to bronze-copper tones, creating walls of sumptuous colour that glow with inner fire throughout the growing season.

Each perfectly formed hedge displays the most exquisite oval leaves that emerge in spring as fresh copper-bronze, deepening to rich purple-red as the season progresses, creating beautiful contrast against green plantings and providing excellent screening with unmatched ornamental value. The remarkable seasonal colour evolution from burgundy through copper to bronze creates one of nature’s most spectacular displays, whilst the retained winter foliage ensures continued privacy and dramatic colour when other deciduous hedges stand bare.

The exceptional density and formal appearance make purple beech hedging equally valuable as dramatic backdrop plantings and striking boundary features, responding beautifully to regular trimming to create crisp, architectural lines that showcase the sumptuous colouring. This supremely hardy variety tolerates a wide range of soil conditions including chalk and clay, whilst withstanding coastal winds and urban pollution, making it one of the most reliable and visually impactful hedging plants for Irish gardens.

Steeped in history and prized by discerning gardeners, ‘Atropurpurea’ combines outstanding ornamental drama with exceptional practical benefits and remarkable longevity. Plant to create stunning garden rooms with rich colour contrast, use as dramatic backdrop for pale flowers and silver foliage, or establish as boundary hedging that will provide privacy, shelter, and year-round theatrical beauty for generations to come.

Caragh’s Garden Notebook

Plant in autumn or early spring in well-prepared, fertile soil enriched with well-rotted compost or manure. Choose a position with good drainage and morning sun to enhance the spectacular purple colouring, though mature hedges tolerate partial shade. Space plants 45-60cm apart in a single row, or 30cm apart for extra density and quicker establishment.

Maintain soil fertility with annual mulching using organic matter such as compost or well-rotted manure applied in spring along the hedge base. Water regularly during the first two growing seasons to establish strong root systems, then only during prolonged dry periods, as established purple beech hedges show excellent drought tolerance.

Trim annually in late summer (August) to maintain shape and density, using sharp hedge trimmers to create clean cuts that heal quickly and preserve the rich colouring. Young hedges may require light trimming twice yearly to encourage dense branching, whilst established hedges need only annual maintenance to preserve their formal appearance and colour intensity.

Feed established hedges with general purpose fertiliser in early spring to promote healthy growth and maintain the spectacular purple colouring that makes this variety so distinctive. The extensive root system benefits from mulching to retain moisture and suppress weeds, extending the mulch 60cm either side of the hedge base.

Water young hedges regularly during dry spells, particularly in the first summer after planting, as consistent moisture is essential for establishment and colour development. Once mature, purple beech hedges are remarkably drought tolerant and require watering only during severe drought conditions, making them ideal for dramatic, low-maintenance garden schemes.