Bicolor sartini

Character & interest

This cultivar brings real presence to the garden thanks to its highly visible yellow-green variegation, especially in spring and early summer. The foliage is typical beech (oval, slightly wavy), but with a pronounced yellow margin and, depending on the leaf, broader yellow blotches toward the tip. The overall texture stays neat and refined—perfect for creating a bright focal point without relying on showy flowers.

Colours

• Spring : green + bright yellow (variegation often very clear).

• Summer : variegation remains present; intensity varies with exposure and vigor.

• Autumn : foliage may yellow; as is often the case with beech, some leaves can remain brown on the tree for a while in winter (marcescence).

Habit & vigour

Small tree to medium tree habit, with a crown that becomes more spreading/branched over time. Growth is generally described as slow (and sometimes considered a bit stronger than other variegated forms, depending on observations in collections). Like all beeches, it appreciates careful establishment (deep soil, steady recovery).

Indicative size

Indicative ranges given depending on sources and training:

• around 10–12 m at maturity,

• for about 6–8 m spread,

• size is highly variable depending on soil, climate, training (single-stem vs free form), and grafting.

Exposure

Gentle sun / bright partial shade. Good light helps achieve strong contrast in the variegation; in hot, dry climates, choose a non-scorching situation (morning sun, light shade in the afternoon) and soil that stays cool to limit stress and reduce the risk of foliage drying out.

Origin & history

‘Bicolor Sartini’ is reported as a sport discovered at Sartini Nursery (Piatto, Italy) on ‘Purpurea Tricolor’, then introduced in the 1990s (dates vary depending on sources). Important note: the naming is debated. Several authors point out that the name ‘Bicolor Sartini’ (including “bicolor”, a Latin term) would be considered not legitimate under horticultural naming rules, and that the cultivar should more correctly be named ‘Sartini’. In commercial practice, “Bicolor Sartini” remains very widely used.