Fagus sylvatica Rolf Marquardt - Beech

Fagus sylvatica ‘Rolf Marquardt’ forms a bush or a small tree that can reach 1.5 to 2 m in height after 15 to 20 years. With very slow growth, it stands out for its elegant silhouette and beautiful coloured foliage, speckled with green and white. It is also loved for its dense marcescent brown foliage that remains attached to the branches throughout winter. Its long lifespan deserves a prime location in the garden. Sheltered from the sun, this beech tree brightens up shady areas with its luminous foliage. It prefers rich and well-drained soils but does not tolerate the intense rays of the sun. Discreet yellowish-green flowers appear in spring and are followed in autumn by decorative fruits called beech nuts. It is a rarity and a must-have for fans of variegated plants!

Fagus sylvatica, commonly known as beech, is a species of deciduous trees native to Europe and belongs to the family Fagaceae, like oak and chestnut trees. It is one of the main forest species in deciduous temperate forests in Europe. It is found in pure beech forests and, more often, with other species in leafy forests, mainly with the European oak or in mixed forests with the silver fir or common spruce. It is an indication of a humid temperate climate. Foresters use it to produce timber for furniture and, in mountainous areas, for firewood.

The ‘Rolf Marquardt’ variety, whose origin is quite unknown, is said to have been found in Germany and is believed to be a seedling of Fagus sylvatica 'Marmorata'. With a long lifespan, it takes the form of a dense and branching, upright shrub. With very slow growth, it can reach a height of 2 to 3 m and a spread of 1 to 2 m at the age of 20 to 30 years. The young branches are reddish and the bark is smooth and greyish. The leaves are alternate, petiolate, ovate, 4 to 8 cm long, wavy on the leaf margin, marbled with different shades of green and cream white, more or less pronounced depending on the age of the leaves and their exposure. In autumn, the foliage takes on yellowish-brown hues and remains attached to the tree in winter until the new leaves appear. In spring, around April-May, the flowering is discreet and quite insignificant. The male flowers, grouped in pendulous catkins of 40 to 60 mm, are pale yellow, while the green female flowers are grouped in 2 to 4 at the end of the branches. In autumn, the beech nuts begin to appear in the form of prickly woody husks.

The variegated white beech is a very robust and cold-resistant tree (down to -30C°). Its elegant silhouette and coloured foliage are major assets that make this variety a unique element in the landscape. It can adapt to small gardens, terraces, and patios, and will thrive in well-drained soil, rich in humus, slightly acidic to alkaline. A partially shaded exposure is preferable, but it can also tolerate a slightly more shaded area. However, be careful of stagnant water and excessive heat, as they could be harmful to it. Its incredible hardiness makes it one of the best substitutes for Japanese maple during very harsh winters. Paired with other varieties of shrubs with varied foliage, it will bring refinement and elegance to your garden.