Also known as the European Beech or Common Beech, Fagus sylvatica is a timeless favourite for formal and natural hedging alike. Its dense foliage, seasonal colour, and strong, upright growth make it a top choice for creating structured screens, garden boundaries, or year-round backdrops with elegance and longevity.
Unlike many deciduous hedges, Beech retains its coppery-brown leaves through winter, especially when pruned regularly, providing privacy and interest even in the dormant season.
Growing Conditions
Beech hedging thrives in moist but well-drained, fertile soils, including chalky, loamy, and clay types, and is happy in both sun and partial shade. It does best in locations with good airflow and prefers soils that aren't too waterlogged. Once established, it is highly resilient and long-lived.
Where to Plant It
Ideal for both formal hedges and informal screening, Beech makes a superb backdrop for flower borders, driveways, paths, and garden rooms. Its leaf retention and classic structure make it suitable for use as a privacy hedge, boundary line, or windbreak in gardens of all styles.
Foliage & Seasonal Interest
Fresh lime-green leaves emerge in spring, maturing to a deep, rich green in summer. In autumn, they transform into glowing shades of orange, gold, and copper, with many leaves remaining on the branches throughout winter. This allows Beech to function almost as an evergreen hedge in terms of screening and structure.
Size & Growth
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Growth Rate: Moderate to fast
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Annual Growth: Approx. 30–60 cm per year
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Ultimate Height: Easily maintained at 1.5–4 metres
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Spacing: 3–5 plants per metre (depending on size and density required)
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Time to Establish: 3–5 years for full screening
