Purple-edged Coppers inhabit forest edges, swampy and damp meadows, clearings and river banks, at an elevation of 400–1,800 metres (1,300 –5,900 ft) above sea level.
    They hve one generation in June in northern and eastern Europe, two generations in May and then in July in southern Europe. 
   Females lay eggs individually by June–July.               Caterpillars feed on Rumex spp. (mainly on Rumex acetosella, Rumex acetosa, Rumex hydrolapathum, Rumex confertus) and Polygonum bistorta. 
   Caterpillars hibernate after the first molt. They pupate on the ground.
   Adults fly from June–July to September. 
   The ventral side of their wings is deep orange red in males, with a brown or purple edging (the reason for the common name).
   The spots in the forewing post discal row form an arc.
   The female's appearance varies between subspecies. 
   They are usually very dark brown, with brown spots on the forewings. 
   The ventral side is virtually the same in both sexes. It is light orange and light brown with brown black spots surrounded by white.