Common Beech

Fagus sylvatica

• Position: full sun or partial shade
• Soil: tolerant of a wide range of well-drained soil
• Rate of growth: quite fast-growing
• Flowering period: April to May
• Flower colour: insignificant separate male and female flowers
• Other features: makes an impressive green-foliaged hedge
• Hardiness: very hardy

  
  A splendid tree with green leaves that turn a rich copper in autumn. As a tree it is only suited to large gardens or parks, grown as specimens in the lawn. However, it does make a superb hedge, retaining the brown leaves through winter and only loosing them when the new foliage appears in spring. It will make a lovely formal hedge that also acts as an excellent windbreak.

• Garden care: Requires minimal pruning if grown as a tree, removing any broken, diseased or crossing branches in late autumn or winter. Trim as a hedge in August, but any renovative pruning needs to be done in early spring. When planting incorporate lots of well-rotted garden compost in the planting hole and stake firmly.
  
  
• Goes well with: Salix exigua, Eryngium giganteum, Artemisia absinthium 'Lambrook Silver', Hemerocallis 'Marion Vaughn', Achillea filipendulina 'Gold Plate', Hosta 'Halycon', Verbena bonariensis, Origanum 'Kent Beauty'