Varieties of Beech Trees
Magnificent as solitary specimen trees, beeches (Fagus spp.) are large deciduous plants admired for their shape and foliage. When it comes to variety, the European beech (Fagus sylvatica) comprises many forms and selections of heightened beauty and ornamental value for gardens. European beech is best grown in USDA Hardiness Zones 5 through 7.
Fern-Leaf Beech
The fern-leaf beech (Fagus sylvatica cv. Aspleniifolia) has slender, glossy, deep green leaves that are cut into lobes. Thus, each leaf looks frilled, abstractly resembling a fern frond. The overall effect of the deeply lobed foliage is a tree with fine texture.
- Magnificent as solitary specimen trees, beeches (Fagus spp.)
- When it comes to variety, the European beech (Fagus sylvatica) comprises many forms and selections of heightened beauty and ornamental value for gardens.
Weeping Beech
Rather than hold its muscular branches horizontally and upward towards the sky, the weeping beech (Fagus sylvatica f. pendula) has branches and twigs that dangle and touch the ground. The tree looks like an irregular, large mound with twigs that move like curtains in the wind.
Copper Beech
Copper beech (Fagus sylvatica f. purpurea) is one of the visually stunning varieties of the species. Instead of glossy green leaves, the copper beech produces flossy purple or dark burgundy foliage that attains coppery hues in autumn before dropping off.
Colored Leaf Selections
Over the centuries, horticulturalists have selected and bred various mutations of the European beech. Many of these cultivated varieties, or cultivars, have leaves with changing or multiple colors. Aurea Pendula and Dawyck Gold are narrow trees with yellow young leaves that mature green. Similar in habit but with purple leaves is cultivar Dawyck Purple. Purpurea Pendula, a dwarf cultivar, only grows 10 feet tall and wide with black-purple leaves. Purpurea Tricolor, also known as Roseomarginata or Tricolor has purple leaves edged and striped in rose and pale pink. Three additional purple-leaf cultivars include Riversii, Rohanii and Spaethiana, which has contrasting lighter colored veins. Lastly, rather than pointed oval leaves, Rotundifolia and Cochleata have round leaves that create a different texture than most other European beech trees.
- Rather than hold its muscular branches horizontally and upward towards the sky, the weeping beech (Fagus sylvatica f. pendula) has branches and twigs that dangle and touch the ground.
- Purpurea Pendula, a dwarf cultivar, only grows 10 feet tall and wide with black-purple leaves.
Other Beech Species
Although the widest array of natural and man-selected varieties are found with the European beech, other beech trees are available and grown by gardeners. Four others that are more commonly encountered include the American beech (Fagus grandifolia), the Japanese beech (Fagus crenata), Oriental beech (Fagus orientalis) and the Japanese blue beech (Fagus japonica).
Related Articles
References
- "A-Z Encyclopedia of Garden Plants"; Editors Christopher Brickell and H. Marc Cathey; 2004
Resources
Writer Bio
Jacob J. Wright became a full-time writer in 2008, with articles appearing on various websites. He has worked professionally at gardens in Colorado, Florida, Minnesota, New York, North Carolina and Pennsylvania. Wright holds a graduate diploma in environmental horticulture from the University of Melbourne, Australia, and a Master of Science in public horticulture from the University of Delaware.
