Commonly known as Purple Beech, Fagus sylvatica Atropunicea is ultimately a very large deciduous shrub with a dense broad head. Wavy-edged leaves emerge purple and silky, maturing to glossy dark purple. They become reddish in colour in autumn followed by copper over winter. Purple Beech can be grown into a tree or can be used as part of a mixed species within a native hawthorn hedge. New hedgerows should be planted in two staggered rows 30cm apart. We recommend 5 plants per metre.