Fagus sylvatica Franken - Beech

Fagus sylvatica 'Franken' is a slow-growing bush or small tree, reaching a height of 1.5 to 2 m after 15 to 20 years. Its foliage is colourful and its silhouette graceful. The leaves are highly variegated, mainly speckled with green. It is also loved for its marcescent brownish foliage that remains dense on the branches until spring. Its long lifespan deserves a prime location in the garden. It prefers rich and well-drained soils but does not tolerate intense sunlight. Discreet yellow-green flowers appear in spring and are followed in autumn by decorative fruits called beech-nuts. This beech tree brightens up shade with its green foliage marbled with cream-white that can turn pink in autumn. It is a rarity and a must-have for lovers of variegated plants!

Fagus sylvatica, commonly known as common beech, is a deciduous tree species native to Europe and belongs to the Fagaceae family, like oak and chestnut. It is one of the main forest species in deciduous temperate forests in Europe. It is found in pure beech forests and, more often, with other species in leafy forests, mainly with the European oak or in mixed forests with the silver fir or common spruce. It is an indication of a humid temperate climate. Foresters use it to produce timber for furniture and, in mountainous areas, for firewood.

The 'Franken' variety originates from Germany in the 1990s. It comes from a selected seedling of Fagus sylvatica 'Marmorata'. With a long lifespan, it forms a small, dense and branching tree with a conical or fastigiate habit. It grows very slowly and can reach a height of 2 to 3 m and a spread of 1.50 to 2 m at the age of 20 to 30 years. The branches are smooth and reddish-brown. The leaves are alternate, petiolate, ovate, 4 to 8 cm long, wavy on the leaf margin. In the early years, the foliage is green, then as the plant establishes itself, the leaves become white with green spots. In spring, they are sometimes pure white, while as summer approaches, the green becomes more visible. In autumn, the foliage takes on yellowish-brown hues and remains on the tree throughout winter, only falling when new leaves appear. In spring, around April-May, there is a discreet and quite insignificant flowering. The male flowers, grouped in pendulous catkins of 40 to 60 mm, are pale yellow, while the green female flowers are grouped in 2 to 4 at the ends of the branches. In autumn, the beech nuts begin to appear in prickly woody husks.

The variegated beech tree is a very robust and cold-resistant tree (down to -30°C). Its elegant silhouette and colourful foliage are major assets that make this variety a unique element in the landscape. It can adapt to small gardens, terraces, and patios, and will thrive in well-drained soil, rich in humus, slightly acidic to alkaline. A sunny exposure is preferable, but it can also tolerate a slightly shaded area. However, be cautious of stagnant water and excessive heat, as they could be harmful to it. Its incredible hardiness makes it one of the best substitutes for Japanese maple during very harsh winters. Paired with other varieties of shrubs with varied foliage, it will bring refinement and elegance to your garden.