I've heard that 'Purpurea Nana' remains on the purple side.

The only European Beech that I've seen maintain good purple foliage is Dawyck Purple but that one is fagistate

Three of the best cultivars of this group are âÂÂRiversiiâ with its big, dark, glossy leaves and wide crown, âÂÂSpaethianaâÂÂ, the one with the darkest leaves, and âÂÂSwat MargretâÂÂ, possessing very dark leaves with undulating rims. Each of these forms has its good points and its bad points. Personal preference will determine which one to grow. A fourth selection, 'Frisio' has recently appeared from Holland. It may be even better

Here is a link that might be useful: CULTIVARS OF EUROPEAN BEECH

I remember reading about some cultivar out of Germany that is supposedly good - but I can't recall the name.

'Swat Margretâ is the one I was thinking of. Thanks for that link.

Looks like Bob has offered it this year.

Here is a link that might be useful: 'Swat Margaret'