Copper Beech Hedge Plants

Description

Copper Beech Hedge Plants – Bare Root Copper Beech Hedge

Copper beech hedging plants – Fagus sylvatica ‘atropurpurea’ make an ideal garden hedge. It is is a low maintenance, moderately fast growing hedge. The growth rate of a copper beech hedge is typically 1-2ft per year. It is not evergreen like Laurel Hedging or even Photinia Red Robin hedging and Although the leaves of a beech hedge turn to brown/golden colour in Winter, it will still retain a large percentage of the foilage on the plant until new growth comes in the Spring and pushes off the older leaves.

Description of Copper Beech Hedge Plants

The Leaves of a copper beech plant are oval in shape, pointed at the tip and purple in colour. The beech plant turns darker in colour as the plant matures. Beech hedges prefer a moist nutrient rich soil but will do well in most soil types making beech hedges a popular choice with the Irish gardener.

The stand out property of a Beech hedge is that it can be easily pruned. Pruning a beech hedge will encourage the hedge to become thicker and fuller, providing a more dense coverage.  It is similar in texture or structure to Hornbeam hedging. An attractive addition of native trees mixed in through a copper beech hedge enhances the overall aesthetic of beech hedging in a garden. Native trees such as Oak, Silver Birch, Mountain Ash trees or even Naturalised Lime trees can add depth and volume to an established green beech hedge.

Benefits of hedging to Biodiverstiy & Ecosystems.

Planting a hedge of any type, including copper beech hedges in the garden is a great way to encourage biodiversity and preserve ecosystems. A hedge in the garden provides shelter and security for nesting birds, caterpillars, aphids and other insects. Beech hedges also act as a network for small animals to move around the garden and populate.

Tips & Tricks for your Bare Root Copper Beech Hedge plants

Beech hedging plants are typically sown as bareroot plants in the Winter months from November through to March. Plants of 2-3ft are the most popular size for planting as the root systems are well developed and the plants are an ideal size for planting.

The first one or two years are the slowest with Beech hedging, but if kept clean and free from weeds, significant growth will be made in the later years.

Annual maintenance, pruning and trimming of a beech hedge will encourage growth and thicken the hedge. Pruning and trimming is usually done in the Spring, before birds begin to build their nests again for the Summer months.

How & When to Plant Your Bare Root Copper Beech Hedge Plants

• Bare root planting is carried out in the bare root season between the months of November to March.
• Beech hedge plants are usually planted as bare root plants, at a frequency of 3 plants per metre roughly 1 foot apart and planted in a single row.
• Beech hedge plants can be planted in staggered double rows with 4 plants per metre. Planting 4 plants per metre will give a thicker hedge over time.
• Keep the beech hedge clear of long grass and weeds in the first few months to promote growth and a thicker, fuller hedge.
• Copper Beech hedging plants should be watered if planted in late Spring if there is a period of drought in the proceeding months.
• When planting It is best to dig a trench 8-9 inches deep, breaking up and aerating the soil.
• Place the plants in the trench, covering the root system up to the collar of the plant. Shovel back in the soil and walk the plant in to anchor it in the ground.

After Care of your Bare Root Copper Beech Hedge Plants

• If windy weather follows the planting, walk in the plants every few days to anchor plants in the ground and ensure roots embed into the soil securely.

Type: Average to Fast Growing in nutrient-rich moist soil
Status: Hardy in cold weather
Position: Sun or light shade

Learn more on Growing Green Beech Hedging .