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Grown In The UK.
Established 1987.
UK Mainland.*
Liquidambar is an outstanding genus of trees which have a lot to offer any garden that has the space to plant them. The leaves are deeply lobed, often star-shaped, and come in a vast array of colours that suit any planting scheme. The common name of 'Sweet Gum' derives from the resin that exudes from the bark; the resin is technically known as storax and Americans enjoy chewing on the resin as chewing gum. The resin is also to make glue and in cosmetics like soap. This wood of this useful tree is made into furniture, baskets and paper pulp.
The trees grow to become a real focal point of the garden, and their Maple-like leaves and glowing autumn colours make them a real asset. Although Liquidambar trees are loved and admired by many, some countries do see them as a pest due to their conker-like seed pods that fall in the autumn. The seeds are harmless though, and can simply be gathered up and removed if they are causing too much of an inconvenience.
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Liquidambar Slender Silhouette
Sweet Gum Tree
Common Name: Slender Silhouette Sweetgum TreeLatin Name: Liquidambar styraciflua 'Slender Silhouette'Soil: Moist, well-drained, acidic to neutral soil. Dislikes shallow chalky soils.Position: Full sunFlowering period/colour: May to June/Inconspicuous light green flowersHardiness: Fully hardyEventual height/spread: 18m/2mSpecial features: A slender, upright tree with yellow to reddish-purple autumn colour. Liquidambar 'Slender Silhouette' is a new introduction from the USA which really lives up to its name with a very slender, upright habit. The deeply lobed dark green leaves first turn yellow then to reddish-purple as the autumn progresses. Small light green flowers are followed by spiky fruits that ripen from green to brown and stay on the tree well into winter.
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Liquidambar Aurea
Sweetgum Tree
Common Name: Sweet Gum TreeLatin Name: Liquidambar styraciflua 'Aurea'Soil: Fertile, moist, well-drainedPosition: Full sunHardiness: Fully hardyEventual height and spread: 14m/7mSpecial features: Deeply incised leaves that emerge a rosy-yellow colour.The Liquidambar 'Aurea' is a fantastic variety of sweet gum and it is one of the best varieties for changing leaf colour. The leaves emerge as a rosy-yellow colour and, come summer, they turn to green with creamy speckles on them; come autumn, the leaves produce a final burst of red before falling. This tree is a slow-grower and it grows to have a broad, pyramidal habit. This tree develops a great sense of character with age, as its bark becomes marked with deep grooves.
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Liquidambar acalycina
Chinese Sweet Gum Tree
Common Name: Chinese Sweet Gum TreeLatin Name: Liquidambar acalycinaSoil: Moist, well-drained, acidic to neutral soil. Dislikes shallow chalky soils.Position: Full sunHardiness: Fully hardyEventual height/spread: 12m/8mSpecial features: Attractive bronze-purple, star-shaped leaves emerge in spring.Liquidambar acalycina is a broadly conical, deciduous tree native to Eastern Asia. Attractive bronze-purple, star-shaped leaves emerge in spring and darken to green as they age in summer. The foliage then turns to yellow in autumn and is usually retained until well into winter. Plant in full sun to produce best autumn colours.
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Liquidambar Silver King
Sweet Gum Tree
Common Name: Variegated Sweet Gum Tree Latin Name: Liquidambar styraciflua 'Silver King' Soil: moist, well-drained, acidic to neutral soil. Position: Full sun Flowering period/colour: May/ Inconspicuous yellow flowers Hardiness: Fully hardy Height and spread in 20 years: 10m/6m Special features: A great choice for autumn colour The 'Silver King' is a striking variety of sweet gum which is planted for its attractive foliage. The leaves are star shaped and are glossy green in colour, but they have a creamy white variegated edge that adds great interest. In autumn the leaves put on a spectacular show as they turn to shades of purple, orange and red. The bark on this tree also adds great interest as it is corky with deep ridges. This is a great choice for autumn colour and it makes a wonderful specimen tree.
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Liquidambar Palo Alto
Sweetgum Tree
Common Name: Palo Alto SweetgumLatin Name: Liquidambar styraciflua 'Palo Alto'Soil: Moist, fertile soil. Acidic soil produces the best autumn leaf colour.Position: Full sun Hardiness: Half-hardy. Protect from frosts.Flowering period: Late springFlowering colour: Insignificant green/yellowEventual height/spread after 20 years: 12m/10mThe Liquidambar 'Palo Alto' has glossy maple-like leaves which are green in summer before turning deep red in autumn. This deciduous tree also features 'corky' bark which develops as the tree matures. The 'Palo Alto' Sweetgum has a pyramidal growth habit and benefits from occasional light pruning. Plant this tree in a full sun position for the best autumn colour.
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Liquidambar Paarl
Sweet Gum Tree
Common Name: Sweet Gum TreeLatin Name: Liquidambar styraciflua 'Paarl'Soil: Moist, well-drained, acidic to neutral soil. Dislikes shallow chalky soils.Position: Full sunHardiness: Fully hardyEventual height/spread: 15m+/4mSpecial features: Upright, pyramidal habit and deep-green palmate leaves. The 'Paarl' was discovered in South Africa in 1990 and this tree differs from other Liquidambar trees as it has a more upright, pyramidal habit. The 'Paarl' has the same palmate leaves as the other Sweet Gum trees and the leaves are mid-dark green in summer; come autumn, the leaves fade to rich reds and oranges. Further interest is added as the tree matures, as the bark turns grey and develops deep grooves.
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