Botanical Name: Fagus sylvatica 'Atropunicea'
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Common Name: Purple Beech  
Plant photo of: Fagus sylvatica 'Atropunicea'
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Water Saving Tip:

Replace turf with groundcovers, trees, and shrubs. If you have areas where no one uses the grass, patches that do not grow well, or a turf area too small to water without runoff, consider replacing the turf with water-efficient landscaping.

  • Anatomy

  • Culture

  • Design

Plant Type

Tree

 

Height Range

12-25', 25-40', 40-60'

 

Flower Color

n/a

 

Flower Season

n/a

 

Leaf Color

Purple

 

Bark Color

n/a

 

Fruit Color

n/a

 

Fruit Season

n/a

Sun

Full, Half

 

Water

Medium, Extra in Summer

 

Growth Rate

Moderate

 

Soil Type

Sandy, Clay, Loam, Rocky, Unparticular

 

Soil Condition

Average, Well-drained, Moist

 

Soil pH

Neutral

 

Adverse Factors

n/a

Design Styles

Meadow, Woodland

 

Accenting Features

Fall Color, Unusual Foliage

 

Seasonal Interest

Fall

 

Location Uses

Background, Lawn

 

Special Uses

n/a

 

Attracts Wildlife

n/a

Information by: Stephanie Duer
Photographer: Steve Mullany, Connon N.

  • Description

  • Notes

Purple Beech is a stately tree with intensely colored leaves, starting out in spring a deep dark red to purple, changing to a purple-green over the summer months. It can grow to 50 feet, though in this region, it typically does not get much taller than 30 feet or so.
Beeches are lovely trees, but are a little resentful of our hot, dry summers. Plant in loamy, well draining soil and mulch amply to keep roots cool. It is not suited to a dry landscape, but would manage where it can receive regular irrigation, but neither does it do well in wet or heavily compacted soils. Interesting accent or specimen pant. See Guide for planting tips.