Beech Hedge Plants

What are Beech Hedge Plants

Beech hedge plants are a staple of British landscapes, renowned for their vibrant foliage and seasonal versatility.

These hedging plants, distinguished as Fagus sylvatica (Green Beech) and Fagus sylvatica 'Purpurea' (Copper or Purple Beech), are celebrated for their wavy bright green or purple leaves that transition to beautiful coppery shades in the autumn.

Not only do Beech hedge plants form a dense, visual barrier, but they also create a haven for native UK wildlife.

Whether you're seeking to add a touch of elegance to your garden or craft a natural privacy screen, the dense foliage of Beech hedge plants are a delightful and practical choice.

Beech Hedge Growth Rate

Beech hedges are known for their moderate growth rate, typically growing about 30-60cm per year.

This steady growth rate ensures a sturdy and uniform hedge in a reasonable period of time without requiring excessive maintenance.

Available Types of Beech Hedge Plants

There are three main root types of beech hedge available in the UK.

Key Features and Benefits of Beech Hedging

• Beech hedges offer appealing aesthetics, with their bright green or purple wavy foliage changing to coppery hues in the autumn.
• They work as excellent visual barriers, an established beech hedge provides privacy and creates defined boundaries for properties.
• The leaves of the Beech hedging are retained throughout the winter months, providing year-round interest, with green beech leaves in the spring.
• Beech hedge plants are known for their moderate growth rate, making them easy to maintain.
• They contribute to biodiversity, acting as a habitat and food source for many local wildlife species.
• Beech hedges are highly adaptable, thriving in most soil types and exposure to sun.
• The hedging is resilient to harsh weather conditions, ensuring continuous display regardless of climate.
• Planting Beech hedges can help in noise reduction, making them suitable for urban environments.
• Beech hedges can act as windbreakers with their dense foliage, protecting gardens and vegetable patches from strong winds. They are also ideal to used as part of a mixed native hedge
• They are available in various root types, including bare root and pot grown, offering options for different planting preferences and budgets.

Planting your Beech Hedge Plants

How to plant Beech Hedge

For a step by step process and further information on how to plant beech hedges, please see our comprehensive hedge planting guide.

When to plant an Beech Hedge

The best planting time for Beech hedges is between November and March, when the plants are dormant.

It's important to note that while they can flourish in most soil types, beech hedge plants prefer well-drained soils.

With the right conditions, your beech hedge should reach its full potential in 5-10 years, providing a remarkable display of colour and texture throughout the year.

Beech Hedge spacing and planting density

The distance between each beech hedge plant depends on the root type and size of the plant.

Please refer to our Beech Hedge spacing chart below which contains the correct planting spacing and distances for each root type and plant size.

Preferred soil types and planting positions

Beech hedges thrive best in well drained soil. They can adapt to a variety of soil types, including clay, sandy, and loamy soils, but may struggle in overly wet sites.

In terms of pH, Beech hedges are flexible and can grow in neutral, alkaline, or slightly acid soil. However, they do prefer slightly chalky soils if available.

As for planting positions, Beech hedges crave sunlight and therefore should be positioned in a place where they will receive full sun to partial shade.

They can handle exposure to wind but prefer sheltered or semi-sheltered sites to protect the foliage from damage.

It's also worth noting that Beech hedges planted in north-facing sites may lose more leaves in winter than those in sunnier positions. However, this is usually a minor issue and won't affect the overall health of the hedge.

Pruning and maintenance tips for Beech Hedging Plants

How and when to prune Beech Hedges

An established hedge will tolerate hard pruning in August and trimming in early spring, but it's advised to give them a lighter trim in late summer to encourage retention of their leaves over winter.

For a comprehensive guide and tips on how to successfully prune your beech hedging, please read our Beech Hedge Pruning Guide.

Watering and fertilising

Beech hedging plants are generally low maintenance and do not require frequent watering or fertilising. However, during their first year after planting, it's essential to provide adequate water to help establish the root system and promote new growth.

Water your beech hedge deeply once a week, ensuring the soil is thoroughly soaked. Reduce the frequency during rainy seasons to prevent water logging.

As for fertilising, an annual application of a balanced, slow-release fertiliser in early spring can boost growth and enhance the health of the hedge.

Spread the fertiliser around the base of the hedge according to the manufacturer's instructions and water well to allow the nutrients to seep into the soil.

Always remember to avoid over-fertilising as it can lead to excessive, weak growth and potential damage from pests and diseases.

Remember, while Beech hedge plants are generally hardy and adaptable, the key to their healthy growth lies in the combination of proper site selection, suitable soil conditions, and the right balance of watering and fertilising.

If you follow these tips you will have a beautiful dense hedge with striking winter leaves.

Frequently Asked Questions About Beech Hedges

Is beech good for hedging?

Yes, beech hedging is an excellent choice for a hedge. Their dense and symmetrical growth makes for attractive barriers and borders.

Their foliage is vividly coloured and changes throughout the seasons, offering year-round visual interest.

Additionally, this semi evergreen hedge is easy to maintain, requires moderate water, and is resilient against harsh weather conditions, making it a practical and aesthetically appealing choice for many gardens.

How quickly does beech hedge grow?

Beech hedges grow at a moderate and steady rate of approximately 30-60 centimetres per year.

With this steady pace, your beech hedge should reach its full potential and provide a remarkable display of colour and texture within a period of 5-10 years.

When does beech hedge turn green?

A Beech hedge typically turns green in the springtime when the new leaves start to sprout. This usually occurs around late April to early May, depending on the local climate.

The lush green foliage provides a vibrant display throughout the summer, before transitioning to delightful copper hues in autumn.

These leaves usually remain on the branches during winter, maintaining a semi-evergreen barrier until new green leaves replace them in the following spring.

What is the best species of beech for hedging?

The best species for beech hedging is the Common Beech (Fagus sylvatica). This deciduous beech tree is native to the UK and is treasured for its year-round aesthetic appeal.

The leaves of the Common Beech transform from a lush bright green in the spring and summer, to a warm copper in the autumn and winter.

Another popular choice is the Purple Beech (Fagus sylvatica 'Purpurea'), recognised for its captivating purple-copper foliage.

Both species create dense, beautiful hedges and are equally effective in providing privacy, reducing noise, and acting as windbreakers.