Liquidambar | Heijnen Plants

Liquidambar

Shrubs
Garden plants

Liquidambar

Shrubs
Garden plants

1500cm

Liquidambar styraciflua 'Worplesdon' Sweet gum

23^95From

Buy Liquidambar

Discover the enchanting beauty of the Liquidambar genus, more commonly known as sweetgum. Revered for their majestic stature and the breathtaking autumnal display, these deciduous shrubs offer a splendid visual treat. With an upright to bushy growth habit, sweetgums make a striking addition to borders or as a solitary feature in your garden. Despite their grand ultimate height, which can reach up to 15 meters, they require minimal maintenance, making them a favored choice for both novice and experienced gardeners.

Key Features

Plant Type: The Liquidambar genus, consisting of robust shrubs, is known for its upright and bushy growth, giving structure and volume to garden landscapes.
Foliage: Throughout the growing season, the foliage of sweetgum remains a lustrous green, transitioning to a vivid palette of orange and yellow in autumn, making it a standout feature.
Flowering: Sweetgums produce modest flowers in the spring, with hues of yellow and green that contribute to their seasonal charm.
Fruit-bearing: Yes, these shrubs do bear fruit, which turns a noticeable green in the autumn.
Soil and Location: Adaptable to all soil types, provided they are well-drained, Liquidambar thrives best in sunny locations where they can bask in full sunlight.
Water and Drought Resistance: With average water needs, sweetgums are also drought-resistant, ensuring resilience in varying climatic conditions.
Growth and Care: With a potential to reach towering heights, these shrubs have a relatively low maintenance profile, requiring little pruning and easy propagation through semi-ripe cuttings.

Tips

Planting: When integrating Liquidambar into your garden, ensure it is placed in a location that receives ample sunlight to encourage optimal growth and the full expression of its autumnal colors.
Watering: While sweetgums are drought-resistant, during their establishment period and in particularly dry spells, be sure to provide them with consistent water to maintain their health and vigor.
Pruning: Minimal pruning is needed for these shrubs, and any shaping should be done with care to maintain their natural form and avoid unnecessary stress on the plants.
Propagation: For those interested in propagation, semi-ripe cuttings can be taken and planted in well-drained soil to cultivate new sweetgums that will carry on the genus's legacy in your garden.
Seasonal Interest: To maximize the aesthetic appeal of Liquidambar throughout the year, plant alongside evergreen species that will provide greenery when the sweetgum's leaves have fallen, ensuring your garden remains lively and attractive in all seasons.

Types

Embrace the splendid display of seasonal hues with the Liquidambar styraciflua 'Worplesdon', a majestic sweetgum variety that offers a symphony of color throughout the year. Its uniquely shaped leaves transition from a fresh green to a kaleidoscope of reds, purples, and oranges, creating a visual feast that enhances any landscape. This stately tree not only enriches your garden's aesthetics but also structures the space with its pyramidal form, making it an exquisite choice for those with a discerning eye for natural beauty.

The Liquidambar styraciflua 'Worplesdon', commonly known as sweet gum, is a deciduous tree celebrated for its spectacular autumnal colors. This majestic cultivar is noted for its narrow, pyramidal form and is a captivating addition to any landscape. In the months of April and May, it reveals inconspicuous yellow and green flowers, which enhance its ornamental value. The sweet gum's elegant, star-shaped leaves transform into vibrant shades of red and orange as the seasons change, creating a breathtaking display that heralds the arrival of fall.

Ideal placement of a Liquidambar

For optimal growth and development, Liquidambar should be positioned in a location that receives full sun. This exposure ensures the most vibrant display of its renowned autumnal foliage, where leaves transform into stunning shades of orange and yellow. The soil should be well-drained to accommodate its root system, and while the plant can adapt to various soil types, it performs best in moist, fertile ground. Regular watering will support its average water needs, particularly in the growing season, to maintain its lush, green foliage before it transitions to its autumn colors.

Planting a Liquidambar

When planting this species, select a location that offers full sun exposure to facilitate optimal growth. Although adaptable to various soil conditions, it thrives in well-drained soils. The shrub's root system, nurtured in pots, allows for flexibility in planting time, avoiding periods of frost. Upon planting, establish a consistent watering schedule to meet its average water needs, supporting a smooth transition and healthy establishment in its new environment. With time, the plant will display its characteristic upright to bushy growth habit, ultimately reaching a majestic height of up to 15 meters.

Fertilising a Liquidambar

Fertilizing is crucial to support the vigorous growth and stunning autumnal display of foliage color for which this species is renowned. It is recommended to fertilize Liquidambar in early spring, just before the onset of the growing season. A balanced, slow-release fertilizer will provide a steady supply of nutrients throughout the year, promoting healthy development of both foliage and roots.

Applying fertilizer again in mid-summer can bolster the sweetgum's growth and prepare it for its spectacular autumn transformation when leaves turn to vibrant shades of orange and yellow. Ensure that fertilizer is applied around the base of the plant, avoiding direct contact with the trunk to prevent any potential damage. Regular fertilizing, coupled with its average water needs, will ensure this majestic tree reaches its full potential in both height and beauty.

Pruning a Liquidambar

Pruning of Liquidambar is minimal due to its natural growth habit and can often be left to develop unhindered. However, if shaping is necessary, it's best to do so in the late winter or early spring before new growth begins. During this period, remove any dead or damaged wood to maintain the health and aesthetic appeal of the shrub. As this species can reach considerable heights, ensure safety measures are in place when tackling larger specimens. Regular pruning is not required, allowing Liquidambar to display its majestic form with ease.

Watering a Liquidambar

When caring for Liquidambar, it is important to ensure the plant receives consistent moisture, particularly when it is establishing its root system. With an average water need, the shrub benefits from a thorough soaking at least once a week under normal weather conditions. During periods of drought, increase the frequency to prevent stress, as the plant is drought-resistant but thrives best when adequately hydrated. The goal is to maintain a well-drained soil environment that avoids waterlogging, thereby supporting robust growth and the development of the shrub's striking autumn foliage.

The characteristics of a Liquidambar

The Liquidambar is renowned for its stunning autumnal hues, but it's also worth noting that this tree provides year-round interest with its unique, star-shaped leaves and corky bark. When positioned in a well-drained pot, it thrives, creating a focal point in any landscape. Additionally, the sweetgum's spiky fruit adds a textural element to garden displays and can be used in crafts for a touch of natural decor.

0203 455 22 48

Send an e-mail
[email protected]

Personal advice from
our specialists? We are happy to help you!