Trees

Fagus sylvatica 'Roseomarginata'

Tricolor beech

Mature tricolor beech; photograph, not current inventory.

Roseomarginata brings pink-edged foliage to the familiar beech silhouette. New leaves are red-purple with uneven pink margins, becoming purple with paler pink and cream edges through summer. Dark gold autumn color completes the display. Despite its delicate-looking variegation, it eventually becomes a sizable tree needing a generous planting area.

At a glance

Sun: Full sun to partial shade
Size: Height: Up to 15 m eventual · Width: More than 8 m eventual
Water: Moist but well-drained conditions
Hardiness: RHS H6 (UK rating; not a USDA zone)

Sizes & prices

#10Tri Color European BeechCall for price
#15Tricolor European Beech Repot #7A to #15$324.99

Catalog updated September 8, 2026. This is not a live stock count; please call to confirm availability and price.

Ask about this plant

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Landscape use & tree form

Use: Large-garden ornamental specimen; screening
Form: Spreading branches
Major issues: Beech leaf disease threatens American and European beeches. Also watch for beech bark disease, scale and stress-related borers.
Fruit / litter: Beechnuts and dry leaves provide seasonal litter; some leaves remain through winter.
Growth rate: Slow

Resistance & tolerances

Deer: Parent-species guidance: Some browsing resistance; not deer-proof. Protect young plants.
Drought: Best with steady moisture; hot, dry sites stress foliage and shallow roots.
Wet soil: Parent-species guidance: Avoid waterlogged or poorly drained soil.

Resistance is not a guarantee; deer and rabbits may browse any plant.

Pollinators & wildlife

Wildlife food: Nuts for birds and small mammals
Evidence: Species-level guidance; cultivar habitat value varies.

Seasonal interest

Foliage: Purple leaves with pink-to-cream margins; dark gold in fall

Growing & care

Soil: Moist, well-drained
Pruning: Preserve the natural crown; weeping forms may need early leader training. Avoid heavy canopy opening and damage to shallow roots or thin bark.

Sources & photo credits

Royal Horticultural Society

NC State Extension

University of Minnesota Extension

NC State Extension

Penn State Extension

springgrovenursery.com

Photo: Jean-Pol Grandmont · CC BY 3.0

Reviewed September 22, 2026. Growing conditions vary by location.