Liquidambar styraciflua 'Variegata' Overeynder (v)

RHS Plant Profile

sweet gum 'Variegata'

Synonyms

Liquidambar styraciflua 'Golden'
Liquidambar styraciflua 'Aurea'
Liquidambar styraciflua 'Goduzam'
Liquidambar styraciflua 'Gold Dust'
Liquidambar styraciflua 'Aurea Variegata'
Liquidambar styraciflua 'Foliis Aureo-Variegatis'

Trees

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A deciduous tree with a branching pyramidal habit, growing to about 15m. Deeply divided, maple-like, pale green leaves are striped and mottled yellow, flushed pink when young, turning to shades of vivid red, orange and purple in autumn. Insignificant late spring flowers are followed by spiky fruit capsules in autumn. Branches develop a corky, winged appearance with age

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: South–facing or East–facing or North–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: Bushy
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

Grow in moist but well-drained, neutral to acid, moderately fertile soil, in full sun or partial shade. Suitable for woodlands or as a specimen tree. Full sun brings out the best autumn colour - see tree cultivation

Propagation

Propagate by semi-ripe cuttings in summer

Suggested planting locations and garden types

Cottage and informal garden

Pruning

Pruning group 1

Pests

Generally pest-free

Diseases

May be susceptible to honey fungus