Liquidambar styraciflua 'Slender Silhouette'

RHS Plant Profile

sweet gum 'Slender Silhouette'

Synonyms

Liquidambar styraciflua 'Shadow Columnar Form'

Trees

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A broadly conical specimen tree, with dense, alternate, maple-like leaves colouring though orange to brilliant purplish red in autumn. Flowers are insignificant and the fruits are decorative round, prickly, woody capsules.

Position

Full sun, Partial shade

Soil Types

Clay, Loam, Sand

Max Height

Higher than 12 metres

Max Spread

2.5-4 metres

Size

Time to Maturity: 10–20 years
Max Spread: 2.5-4 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: South–facing or East–facing or West–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: Hamamelidaceae
Native to GB/Ireland: No
Foliage: Deciduous
Habit: Columnar upright
Genus: Liquidambar are deciduous trees grown for their alternate, maple-like leaves which take on brilliant and long-lasting autumn colour; flowers and fruits are inconspicuous
Name Status: Accepted

How to Grow

Cultivation

Thrives in lime-free, moist but well-drained soil in sun or partial shade. Grow in woodland or as a specimen tree. Full sun brings out best autumn colour.

Propagation

Propagate by semi-hardwood cuttings

Suggested planting locations and garden types

Architectural
City and courtyard gardens
Low Maintenance
Flower borders and beds

Pruning

Pruning group 1

Pests

Generally pest-free

Diseases

May be susceptible to honey fungus