Fagus sylvatica 'Roseomarginata' (Purpurea Tricolor) - Scarlet beech

Seedling height 10-30cm a sunny/shady    

   

Fagus sylvatica 'Roseomarginata' (Fagus sylvatica Purpurea Tricolor)

A variety of common beech with very slow growth. narrow, bay-leafed leaves. At the ends of long shoots, they are narrow, without flaps, only wavy. Due to its slow growth, it is suitable for home gardens.

The purple beech appeared in the selections of European nurseries as early as the 1880s. The scientific name "purpurea tricolor" and simply "tricolor" are also used for this variety. As far as we know, there is no Finnish name for the variety. This is why we use the informal name "variegated beech". The variety is slower growing than standard European beech. This cone-shaped tree can grow to a height of approx. 10 m in Europe, but in Finland the plant will probably remain no more than 4-6 meters tall. The tree's root system is superficial.

The decorative value and name of the "Purple Beech" are mainly based on the appearance of the leaves. The shiny, wrinkled leaves are at their most beautiful in the spring, when they burst out purple, with pink edges. In the summer, the leaves gradually turn very dark green, while the edges of the leaves remain pink. In autumn, the leaf colors turn yellow and brown. When brown, they remain on the tree well into spring. The leaves are slightly smaller than those of the common European beech. They are approx. 4-8 cm long and have a maximum of 10 pairs of veins.

"Purple beech" is single-family. Its wind-pollinated flowering takes place in April-May. The stamens form pendulous globose and pale yellow inflorescences. The pistils form a hard and spiky cradle with one or two edible nuts.

"Purple beech" thrives in nutrient-rich, fresh-moist and permeable humus soil. In Finland, the growing place should be sunny or semi-shaded. Like beeches, it thrives in a humid maritime climate.

'Purpurea Tricolor' (or 'Roseomarginata', a purple tricolor variety with pink edges) - a variety with very decorative leaves that are purple, pink in spring, turn brown in summer, and the pink edge turns white and dries. The leaves are often wavy and distorted. This tree grows to a height of about 30 meters. It looks beautiful on plants with contrasting colored leaves.