Betula pendula 'Purpurea' purple Birch leaves

Betula pendula 'Purpurea' dark purple Birch leaves

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Betula pendula 'Purpurea' Tree

Name: Betula pendula 'Purpurea' Tree
Brand: Ornamental Trees
SKU: BPP.SS.10.1
Price: 80.0 GBP
Availability: InStock

Purple Birch Trees

Purple Birch 'Purpurea' displays vibrant purple leaves with silvery bark in a pyramid shape

From £80

From £80 ~~£80~~

Available As:

Mature standard tree

1.8m-2.0m clear stem with a branched crown on top

Single stem tree

Classic tree with one trunk

Choose Option 2 options

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Choose Option 2 options

Product Details

Planting & Care

Delivery Information

Key features

Final size 6 x 4 metres in 20 years

Foliage Purple in spring, green in summer, bronze in autumn

Flowers Catkins in spring

Soil Suited to all types except very chalky soils

Description

Betula pendula 'Purpurea' is commonly known as Purple Birch. It has dark purple foliage that contrasts beautifully with the silvery white bark that develops with age. Young branches and serrated foliage emerge dark purple/red in spring. The leaves slowly turn purple/dark green throughout the summer and finally bronze/purple tones appear in autumn. Catkins arrive in the spring.

Slightly slower growing and less weeping in habit compared to other Silver Birch trees, Betula pendula 'Purpurea' has a pyramidal form and will still reach a height and spread of 6 x 4 metres in 20 years. An ideal feature tree, this Purple leaved Birch can be grown on most soils but it’s best to avoid very chalky soil.

AKA Purple leaved Silver Birch

Planting Steps

1Preparation

Pot-grown plants can be planted at any time of year, whereas bare roots need to be planted between November and March.
Clear weeds and grass within a metre of the planting hole.
Dig a hole as deep as the root mass and twice as wide.
To help your plant establish more effectively, sprinkle Rootgrow in the hole.

2Planting

Gently loosen the roots and place into the planting hole.
Ensure the top of the plant's compost is flush with the level of the surrounding soil and the graft union or collar of the tree is above ground level.
Mix 50% of the original soil with 50% compost.
Fill in the hole, firming the soil gently.

3Last Steps

Water generously around the base of the plant.
If you are planting either a single stem tree or mature standard tree, we recommend adding a staking kit and rabbit guard.

Aftercare Advice

Birch trees require a good watering regime for a couple of years whilst they establish. Water well and regularly through spring and summer, increasing in hot or dry weather. If planting in autumn, you may only need to water a little. Unlike many species, Birch prefer wet soil than dry. It is advisable to keep the area free of competing weeds and grass during this period.

Established Birch trees require minimal pruning and do not take well to hard pruning, as this increases light at the base of the tree, which in turn increases soil temperature and decreases moisture levels. Simply remove lateral shoots to maintain a clear trunk and prune any diseased or damaged branches. Pruning should be carried out in late summer to mid-winter. Birch trees bleed heavily at other times of the year, especially late winter.

Tip: to keep the colourful bark looking its best, you can wash it using water and a sponge.

For more detailed advice and video guides, please visit our Help & Advice section.

	Small shrubs (1-3)	Young trees & 4+ small shrubs	Select semi-mature trees & shrubs (1-4)	All other mature trees (any quantity)
Mainland UK ex. Scottish Highlands	£10	£12	£35	from £55
Scottish Highlands & the Islands	From £30
Outside Mainland UK	Currently we are unable to deliver outside of Mainland UK

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