River's Purple European Beech
Fagus sylvatica 'Riversii'
The deepest purple foliage of any Purple-leafed Beech. Retains its dark purple leaf color throughout the summer months. A special selection from England. Deciduous.
| Botanical Pronunciation: | FA-gus sil-VAT-i-ka ri-VERZ-ee-ee |
| Key feature: | Year-round Interest |
| Plant type: | Tree |
| Garden styles: | Cottage, Mediterranean |
| Deciduous/evergreen: | Deciduous |
| Cold hardiness zones: | 4 - 7 |
| Light needs: | Full sun |
| Water Needs: | Needs regular watering - weekly, or more often in extreme heat. |
| Average landscape size: | Slow growing to 40 to 50 ft. tall, 20 to 30 ft. wide. |
| Growth rate: | Slow |
| Growth habit: | Spreading |
| Special features: | Dramatic Foliage Color, Easy Care, Fall Color, Year-round Interest |
| Landscape uses: | Firescaping/Fire Wise, Woodland Garden |
| Blooms: | Inconspicuous |
| Foliage color: | Purple |
| Item no.: | 3579 |
| Retailers for this plant: |
Care Information
Follow a regular watering schedule during the first growing season to establish a deep, extensive root system. Watering can be reduced after establishment. Feed with a general purpose fertilizer before new growth begins in spring. Pruning time: winter.
Design Ideas
Use this big Beech in large landscapes, or as a street or park tree. Stands alone or in a grove, and may be used to accent other groves of green trees.
Companion Plants
Here's the best of the English Beech and one that holds its color throughout the season. Plant with other majestic deciduous shade trees such as Red SunsetTM Maple (Acer rubrum 'Franksred'), Pyramidal European Hornbeam (Carpinus betulus 'Fastigiata') and Northern Red Oak (Quercus rubra). Also looks great against the contrasting Hoop's Blue Spruce (Picea pungens 'Hoopsii').
History
This may be the most famous of all beech varieties in England, developed and introduced there by the nursery of Thomas Rivers around 1860. It was in widespread cultivation both in Europe and America by 1880. It's purple coloring points to ancestry from the copper beech of Europe. The species is a forest tree native to central and Southern Europe.
Lore
The species name of F. sylvatica is derived from the Greek for forest-loving.
The deepest purple foliage of any Purple-leafed Beech. Retains its dark purple leaf color throughout the summer months. A special selection from England. Deciduous.
Care Information
Follow a regular watering schedule during the first growing season to establish a deep, extensive root system. Watering can be reduced after establishment. Feed with a general purpose fertilizer before new growth begins in spring. Pruning time: winter.
Design Ideas
Use this big Beech in large landscapes, or as a street or park tree. Stands alone or in a grove, and may be used to accent other groves of green trees.
Companion Plants
Here's the best of the English Beech and one that holds its color throughout the season. Plant with other majestic deciduous shade trees such as Red SunsetTM Maple (Acer rubrum 'Franksred'), Pyramidal European Hornbeam (Carpinus betulus 'Fastigiata') and Northern Red Oak (Quercus rubra). Also looks great against the contrasting Hoop's Blue Spruce (Picea pungens 'Hoopsii').
History
This may be the most famous of all beech varieties in England, developed and introduced there by the nursery of Thomas Rivers around 1860. It was in widespread cultivation both in Europe and America by 1880. It's purple coloring points to ancestry from the copper beech of Europe. The species is a forest tree native to central and Southern Europe.
Lore
The species name of F. sylvatica is derived from the Greek for forest-loving.
| Botanical Pronunciation: | FA-gus sil-VAT-i-ka ri-VERZ-ee-ee |
| Key feature: | Year-round Interest |
| Plant type: | Tree |
| Garden styles: | Cottage, Mediterranean |
| Deciduous/evergreen: | Deciduous |
| Cold hardiness zones: | 4 - 7 |
| Light needs: | Full sun |
| Water Needs: | Needs regular watering - weekly, or more often in extreme heat. |
| Average landscape size: | Slow growing to 40 to 50 ft. tall, 20 to 30 ft. wide. |
| Growth rate: | Slow |
| Growth habit: | Spreading |
| Special features: | Dramatic Foliage Color, Easy Care, Fall Color, Year-round Interest |
| Landscape uses: | Firescaping/Fire Wise, Woodland Garden |
| Blooms: | Inconspicuous |
| Foliage color: | Purple |
| Item no.: | 3579 |
