Liquidambar styraciflua
sweet gum
One of the best for autumn colour, 'Sweet Gum' is a gorgeous tree, with large, star-like, shiny, bright green leaves which turn...
9 litre pot | 1.2 - 1.5m tall
£69.99
available to order from autumn
5 litre pot | 1.0m tall
£49.99
available to order from autumn
12 litre pot | 1.0 - 1.25m tall
£89.99
available to order from autumn
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Plant description
One of the best for autumn colour, 'Sweet Gum' is a gorgeous tree, with large, star-like, shiny, bright green leaves which turn spectacular shades of orange, red, purple and yellow in the autumn. Its shape is broadly conical, and although it grows slowly, it is best suited to a larger garden, as it is long-lived and will eventually grow to 25 metres. In Britain, it flowers intermittently and inconspiculously in spring, but it is for the foliage that this tree is prized. Grow it either as a specimen tree, or as the centrepiece to a glade. Trees grown in a rich, damp soil in full sun will colour the best.
Eventual height & spread
Plant features
Position
Full sun / light shade
Rate of growth
Average
Soil
Moderately fertile, moist, well-drained soil
Hardiness
Fully hardy
How to care for Liquidambar styraciflua:
When planting, incorporate lots of well-rotted manure or garden compost into the planting hole and stake firmly. Requires minimal pruning. Remove any broken, diseased or crossing branches in late autumn or winter.
Please note:
This tree is deciduous so it will lose all its leaves in autumn, then fresh new foliage appears again each spring.
