Description
How large will my Copper Beech hedge grow?
Copper Beech is a vigorous, fast-growing hedging plant. You can expect:
- Annual Growth: Approximately 30–60cm per year.
- Maximum Height: If left unpruned, it can reach heights of over 10m, though it is easily maintained as a neat garden hedge at any height from 1m upward.
How to grow Copper Beech hedging
When to Plant: Purchase and plant during the dormant season (November to March) for the best results with bare roots. Pot-grown specimens can be planted year-round, provided they are watered well during dry spells.
- Soil Requirements: It thrives in well-drained soil. It is particularly fond of chalky (alkaline) soils but is versatile enough for most garden types.
- Avoid: Copper Beech does not tolerate heavy clay or waterlogged soils. For wet sites, Hornbeam is often a better alternative.
- Maintenance: To ensure the hedge keeps its leaves through the winter, we recommend pruning in late summer (August). This encourages the plant to hold onto its brown foliage until the new purple buds burst in spring.
Where to grow your hedge
Copper Beech thrives best in full sun. While it can tolerate partial shade, the “purple” intensity of the foliage is most vibrant when exposed to plenty of sunlight. In deep shade, the leaves may take on a more greenish-purple hue.
How to plant
- Preparation: Clear the planting area of weeds and grass. Dig a trench or individual holes in cultivated soil.
- Spacing:
- Standard: 3 to 4 plants per meter in a single row.
- Dense/Fast Results: 5 to 7 plants per meter in a double staggered row, spaced roughly 30cm apart.
- Depth: Plant bare roots at the same depth they were previously growing (look for the “soil line” on the stem).
- Finishing: Firm the soil around the roots with your heel to remove air pockets and water thoroughly to help the soil settle.
