Liriodendron chinense

RHS Plant Profile
Chinese tulip tree

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Chinese tulip tree RHS 1999
Chinese tulip tree RHS / Joanna Kossak
Chinese tulip tree RHS / Joanna Kossak
Chinese tulip tree RHS
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A vigorous upright tree to 25m tall, with leaves divided into three lobes, the large terminal one truncated, turning yellow in autumn; cup-shaped pale green, yellow-veined flowers 2cm long are produced in summer, only on mature trees

Position

Full sun, Partial shade

Soil Types

Clay, Loam, Sand

Max Height

Higher than 12 metres

Max Spread

wider than 8 metres

Size

Time to Maturity
more than 50 years
Max Spread
wider than 8 metres
Max Height
Higher than 12 metres

Growing Conditions

Clay Loam Sand
Moisture
Moist but well–drained or Well–drained
pH
Acid or Neutral

Position

Full sun Partial shade
Aspect
North–facing or West–facing or East–facing or South–facing
Exposure
Exposed or Sheltered
Hardiness

Hardiness Ratings

All ratings refer to the UK growing conditions unless otherwise stated. Minimum temperature ranges (in degrees C) are shown in brackets

  • H1A: under glass all year (>15C)
  • H1B: can be grown outside in the summer (10 - 15)
  • H1C: can be grown outside in the summer (5 - 10)
  • H2: tolerant of low temperatures, but not surviving being frozen (1 to 5)
  • H3: hardy in coastal and relatively mild parts of the UK (-5 to 1)
  • H4: hardy through most of the UK (-10 to -5)
  • H5: hardy in most places throughout the UK even in severe winters (-15 to -10)
  • H6: hardy in all of UK and northern Europe (-20 to -15)
  • H7: hardy in the severest European continental climates (< -20)
H6

Colour & Scent

Season Stem Flower Foliage Fruit
Spring
Summer
Autumn
Winter

Botanical Details

Family
Magnoliaceae
Native to GB/Ireland
No
Foliage
Deciduous
Habit
Bushy
Genus
Liriodendron are vigorous deciduous trees with attractively lobed leaves and green and orange, tulip-shaped flowers in summer; good autumn colour
Name Status
Correct
Plant Range
China, Vietnam

How to Grow

Cultivation

Grow as specimen tree in lime-free soil in sun or partial shade

Propagation

Propagate by grafting

Suggested planting locations and garden types

  • Flower borders and beds

Pruning

Pruning group 1

Pests

Generally pest-free

Diseases

May be susceptible to honey fungus