Weeping Copper Beech

A weeping form of the copper or purple beech, Fagus sylvatica (Atropurpurea Group) Purpurea Pendula is a small, slow-growing, deciduous tree with a cascading, mushroom-shaped habit, suitable for smaller gardens. The wavy-edged, typical beech leaves emerge reddish, turning deep greenish-purple in summer and coppery-bronze in autumn. Insignificant yellow-green flowers are borne in spring, followed by beech-mast (little nuts in spiny cases). Weeping copper beech is an easy-to-grow tree that needs almost no pruning – only prune if the branches get too long and are being damaged, and then prune lightly. Lovely underplanted with spring bulbs.

Site: Sheltered, but tolerates some exposure
Soil: Any moist but well-drained soil; likes a chalky or limy soil
Position: Best colour in full sun; tolerates partial shade
Season of interest: Late spring to autumn
Hardiness: Very hardy
Height: 13-16’ (4-5m) Spread: 10’ (3m) in 10-20 years

Photo by Rüdiger Stehn and licensed under CC BY-SA 2.0.