Fagus sylvatica ‘Riversii’ (Rivers' Purple Beech)

Undoubtedly the finest form of all the Purple Beeches. The leaves are pink when young, turning to purple in summer and gold in autumn. Grows to 30ft in 20 years. It's a big tree, but slower growing than the ordinary European Beech.

They like plenty of space and light in order to look their best, bringing out their shape and purpleness. Any reasonably well-drained soil is fine - remember how well they grow on chalk hills.

N.B. When clipping several plants with the same tool, have a bucket containing a 5% bleach solution and swish your blades around for 30 seconds between plants to sterilise them. This will help avoid the chance of cross contamination of disease.

As with all woody plants, plant high, exposing as much of the taper at the base of the trunk as possible. Allowing soil to accumulate round the base of a tree can be fatal. Keep very well watered when first planted.