In an epic plot turn battle, pre-Darth Vader Anakin Skywalker light sabers off Master of the Jedi Order Mace Windu's hand, allowing Sith Lord Darth Sidious to Force Lighting him through his chamber window. Spilling popcorn, I watched the purple light saber weilding Jedi fall to his death near the end of the third of the pre-quel Star Wars films, & I felt a tremor in the Force. Struck by this most peculiar energy, I stumbled out into the yard, trembling with an unknown source of what felt like adrenaline. I could feel the grass underfoot stretch and wane under the weight of my steps, I could see the very essence of the breeze rippling through the branches of the trees, and understood our connection to the ebb and flow of the sub-atomic universe. This energy surrounds us and penetrates us. It binds the galaxy together. And it was at that moment that I felt the re-emergence of Mace Windu, a Jedi Master who may have died out a window a long time ago, in a galaxy far, far away, but in a sparse cosmic moment allowed his life force to be transferred into my garden. Not just into the garden, but into a tree, one single entity that will maintain his spirit. The form, color, texture, and shape are reminiscent of his physical presence. This tree is Mace Windu Re-Incarnate. This is Fagus sylvatica "Purpurea Pendula" - the Purple Weeping European Beech.
"Purpurea Pendula" can become a big purple beast - much like Mace Windu on the battlefield. And you may think 'weeping' is a sign of weakness or un-manliness, but that's where you're wrong. European Beech comes in many varieties and forms, and most of them are green and upright, kinda like how many Jedi have the green or blue light saber crystal. But only Mace Windu had purple, and only Mace Windu plummeted to his death out a thousand-story space window. The parallels here are clear. Like Samuel L. Jackson, Fagus sylvatica "Purpurea Pendula" is one B.A.M.F. We haven't yet discussed weeping tree forms, though most are probably familiar with the Weeping Willow (Salix alba) and understand what they look like. Weepers do rarely occur in nature, and are typically cultivated variations of a genus which has no central leader which allows its branching habit to become softer and appear pendulous. Weeping trees should almost always be planted in a landscape by themselves with plenty of room to stretch out and be oogled at.
Expect a Weeping Beech to get at maximum around 10-12' in height, though I have seen a specimen well over 20'. It should be noted though, that this amount of growth should not expected for many, many years. These weepers are slow growers (as they have no central leader to help them grow upwards) and most growth will appear more as 'infill' than height. These specimens are best planted in a proper garden setting, so if you're deep in the city and have a lot of messy, junky, compacted soil "Purpurea Pendula" may not be your first choice. As deciduous trees, they will lose their leaves annually, but provide an excellent almost sculptural quality for the rest of the year. Hardy from Zones 4-7, keep this in full sun and avoid letting them get thirsty. Since these are often a result of scientific meddling, they do require a bit more nutrients and the like than some of my other more natural selections. This is a small price to pay for the form and color though, so suck it up.
If you've had make-believe light saber battles with invisible enemies as many times as I have, consider the power of planting a Master of the Jedi Order in your Garden Manscape. You could even use a dwarf evergreen at his side to represent Master Yoda. The possibilities of the Jedi Garden are endless, but Fagus sylvatica "Purpurea Pendula" should be considered a staple. The Force is strong with this one...
photo credit:
1] http://media.desura.com/images/members/1/431/430710/MaceWinduWallpaperV2.jpg
2} http://www.nortplantas.com/innovaeditor/assets/fagus.jpg
3] http://plants.chaletnursery.com/Images/Photos/A238-22.jpg
4] http://www.lizerlandscape.com/Website%20Plant%20Photos/Fagus%20sylvatica%20'Pendula'.jpg
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