Fagus sylvatica Purple Fountain - Beech

The Fagus sylvatica 'Purple Fountain' is a variety of Common Beech with a weeping habit and dark purple foliage, turning coppery in autumn. This tree has a slower growth rate than the species and rarely exceeds 12m (39 ft 5 in) in height and 2.50m (8 ft 2 in) in width at maturity. Its upright trunk bears flexible and trailing lateral branches. Its marcescent foliage dries in autumn and remains attached to the branches until spring, when new leaves appear. This excellent specimen tree with its unique silhouette will be particularly attractive when planted alone, even in space-limited gardens.

The beech tree, known in Latin as Fagus sylvatica, is an imposing tree with a spreading habit. Its cylindrical trunk is covered with smooth light grey bark. This tree can live for several centuries. Native to central Europe to the Caucasus, it is one of the most common species in European forests, covering 10% of forests. The Fagus sylvatica is the most popular beech tree grown, along with the oak. Its reddish wood is used in joinery and for making wooden tools, toys, and firewood. It is very hardy and can reach a height of 20m (65 ft 7 in) at maturity.

The cultivar 'Purple Fountain' was obtained in 1976 in the Netherlands, at the F.J. Grootendorst nursery, from seeds of Fagus sylvatica 'Purpurea Pendula'. It has an erect and weeping habit. Its foliage is composed of alternate, oval-shaped leaves measuring 4 to 10cm (1.6 to 3.9 in) in length. The leaf edges are wavy and villous. They have 5 to 9 pairs of lateral veins. When they first emerge, the leaves are a deep red colour. They turn purple in summer and then copper brown in autumn. They are marcescent, meaning they dry up while remaining on the tree until the following spring, when new leaves appear. The flowers appear almost simultaneously with the leaves. From April to May, barely visible cream-coloured monoecious flowers. Male flowers are grouped in pendulous catkins measuring 40 to 60mm (1.6 to 2.4 in). The female flowers are clustered in groups of 2 to 4 at the ends of the branches. Mature trees produce fruits called beech nuts, which are shiny brown and covered in prickles. These fruits, measuring 12 to 18mm (0.5 to 0.7 in) in length, are edible in small quantities. Mountain dwellers used to use them to make flour.

The Fagus sylvatica 'Purple Fountain' is a hardy, low-maintenance tree. It prefers partial shade and non-intense sunlight, and thrives in cool and temperate climates. The soil should be moist, well-drained, and always have a constant level of humidity, as it does not tolerate drought. It is best planted as a solitary tree to showcase its unique and picturesque silhouette.