Betula pendula 'Dark Prince' is a weeping Birch with rich, dark purple foliage that works as a lovely contrast to the whitening bark. The purple leaves have a bronze tint and are accompanied by brown catkins in spring and summer. In autumn, the catkins fall whilst the colour of the foliage remains. In winter, the silvery bark and weeping form of the tree take centre stage.
With a good pendulous habit, Betula pendula 'Dark Prince' is a fairly slow growing, deciduous tree and will reach a height and spread of around 6 x 4 metres after 20 years. Like other Birch trees, this purple weeping variety prefers moist soil and is ideal for planting near ponds or streams.
AKA Purple leafed Birch, Weeping Purple Birch
Common name: Weeping Purple Birch tree
Height and spread in 20 years: 6 x 4 metres
Seasons of interest: Spring, Summer, Autumn, Winter
Bark: Peeling bark provides year-round interest
Foliage: Purple foliage with a bronze tint spring through to autumn
Soil: Suited to all soil types but grows best in moist conditions
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Planting Advice for Betula pendula Dark Prince Trees
Our pot grown Weeping Purple Birch trees can be planted at any time of the year. Start by removing weeds and grass within a metre of your desired planting hole. Dig a square hole as deep as your root mass and approximately 2x as wide. To help the tree establish more effectively, sprinkle root grow in the hole.
Remove the pot, gently loosen the roots and place into the planting hole. Mix 50% of the original soil with 50% compost, fill in the hole and firm around gently. Avoid banking the soil up around the collar of the tree.
We recommend planting Weeping Purple Birch trees with a stake and tie kit to ensure the roots are well anchored - instructions are in the planting guide. Finish by watering generously around the base.
Aftercare of Betula pendula Dark Prince Trees
Birch require a good watering regime for a couple of years to 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. Irrigation kits make it easier.
Keep the area free of competing weeds and grass for the first couple of growing seasons. If your area is prone to rabbits, use a rabbit guard. To keep the white bark looking its best, you can wash it using water and a sponge.
Pruning Betula pendula Dark Prince Trees
Established Weeping Purple Birch trees do not require pruning and they do not take well to hard pruning. Hard pruning leads to increased light penetration of the roots which in turn results in increased soil temperature and decreased moisture levels. Simply remove the 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 all other times of the year, especially late winter.
Delivery Costs
*Free delivery promotion excludes mature trees, extra large kits and delivery to Highlands or Islands. Discount applies at checkout.
Small/medium trees & shrubs
Select semi-mature trees & shrubs
All other mature trees
Mainland UK ex. Scottish Highlands
£8 for any quantity
£35 for 1-4 trees
From £55 for any quantity
Scottish Highlands & the Islands
From £30
Outside Mainland UK
Currently we are unable to deliver outside of Mainland UK
Delivery Times
Next Day Despatch We will always try to get your plants to you as quickly as possible. For many of our trees and plants, if you order today we will despatch your order within 24 hours. We are constantly adding to our range of next day plants, and we do not add a surcharge for this service. Click here to see our next day delivery plants.
Standard Delivery We have one of the widest range of trees in the UK, and for those plants which we cannot despatch next day we will normally despatch within 4 weeks. The despatch time for different products will be confirmed when products are added to your shopping basket
Pre-orders We will only want to deliver your orders when they are perfect for planting! Depending on the season and how well the plants are growing, we will give our best estimates of the despatch dates for pre-orders. These dates may vary and by species and while we will always try to deliver within these timeframes if the expected despatch does change then we will notify you by email.
Special Orders Orders containing pleached or mature trees (trees over 2.5m in height) are delivered within 3 weeks. They require specialist delivery and are grouped geographically. Any customers ordering pleached or mature trees will be contacted and notified of their delivery date.
If your trees are required by a specific date, please let us know as soon as possible; while we can’t offer any guarantees we will always do our best to accommodate you. You can leave instructions in the notes field on the Delivery Page of the Checkout or send us an email at [email protected].
Please note that orders are shipped once all the trees in the order are ready.
Collections Collections are by appointment only at our West Yorkshire-based nursery. If you would like to place an order for collection, please get in touch before placing your order. You will not be charged a delivery cost for a collection and any delivery cost that has been applied will be refunded.
The product table at the bottom of the page gives the forms and sizes available for this variety. Please note, photos are a guideline as all plants are unique. *Pot sizes may vary. Below are definitions of terms:
Supplied Size: Height measured from the top of the pot.
Single Stem tree: Classic tree with one trunk, pruned for a beautiful, natural shape.
Top grafted tree: A height next to this form refers to the length of clear stem, which will not grow taller. Only the head of branches will develop. Ideal for small spaces.
Feathered tree: Branches from the bottom of the trunk all the way up. These branches can be removed if a clear stem is required.
Multi Stem tree: Two or more stems arising from or near ground level, growing from one root system.
Bush: A plant with many stems low down, rather than one clear stem.
Clump: Several plants in one pot that give the appearance of a bushy multi stem tree.
Climber: Naturally climbing plant. Usually delivered running up a cane, ready to position in the garden.
Standard Tree: A more mature tree with an upright clear stem of approximately 1.8m-2.0m (measured from the soil to the lowest branches of the crown). Standards are available in different forms relating to their girth size (circumference of the stem measured 1m above soil level), not height.
