Hedges Direct 
Purple or Copper Beech Hedge Fagus sylvatica 'Purpurea'
In stock
1. Select Your Root Type
Bare Roots
Soil-free and seasonal (Nov–Mar), great value for bulk planting in winter.
Root Balls
Larger plants with soil-wrapped roots—ideal for strong, mature growth in cold months.
Pot Grown
Available year-round with established roots, for flexible, reliable planting.
Instant Hedging
Ready-grown hedges for quick privacy and instant garden impact.
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Root Ball
From £36.99
2. Select Your Height
Quick
List
Key Features
NATIVE
FAST GROWING
COLOURFUL FOLIAGE
Description
Discover the charm of Purple Beech hedging (Fagus sylvatica 'Purpurea'), also known as Copper Beech, which paints your garden with a spectrum of colours throughout the year. During the spring and summer, it flaunts purple and green leaves that transition into a rich tapestry of copper and burgundy shades in the autumn and winter. Unlike many deciduous hedges, Purple Beech holds onto its striking autumnal leaves through the colder months, offering maximum visual interest and privacy.
Copper Beech hedging forms a dense, fluttering curtain of leaves that grows vigorously at a rate of 40-60cm per year. It’s suited to a variety of settings, thriving in both sun and partial shade and preferring moist, well-drained soils. While generally a low-maintenance hedging option, Purple Beech may require pruning once or twice a year to maintain its neat appearance.
As seed-grown hedges tend to have some natural colour variation, some Purple Beech plants may display darker or greener leaves. For a consistently purple display, we recommend selecting extra bare-root plants (available November to April) to balance any rogue greens or choosing our pot-grown options (available all year round) for guaranteed vibrancy.* We also have root-ball and instant hedging options too.
Need help figuring out which root type to order? Our root types guide has all the details.
*Bare-root and root-ball stock are subject to availability and may change, but are generally available from autumn through to spring
Vital Plant Information
Reviews
Plant Guarantee
Hedges Direct always supplies quality plants, however we know that sometimes plants have a mind of their own. With the Hedges Direct Green Guarantee, we've got you covered. Our 12-month guarantee is our 100% promise to you, that you can buy with complete confidence, that if any plants fail within 12 months, we will replace them when the guarantee conditions are met.
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Step 1
Root Grow & Fertiliser
Ensure you buy root grow and fertiliser with your plants at the time of purchase
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Step 2
Prepare Your Planting Area
Make sure your planting area is in good condition and suitable for planting
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Step 3
Plant & Feed
Plant with root grow & the second feed. Support plants if necessary. Water regularly
Pruning Advice
Managing your Purple Beech hedge is straightforward, and with a little planning, it will only need to be pruned once or twice a year. Established hedges should be pruned in late summer, ideally in August, to allow time for recovery and regrowth before winter sets in.
If your hedge looks unkempt by midsummer, a light trim in June can tidy it up without significant impacts. For those with an overgrown beech hedge, renovation should be tackled in February while the plant is still dormant. If a drastic reduction is needed, gradually cut back the size over two seasons to minimise stress on the hedge. Start by cutting back the top and one side one year and the other side the next.
Despite its fast growth, hard pruning shouldn't be daunting. Purple Beech rebounds quickly, especially with the support of a slow-release fertiliser like Bonemeal.