Populus alba 'Richardii'

RHS Plant Profile

white poplar 'Richardii'

RHS

Trees

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'Richardii' is a spreading, suckering, deciduous tree to about 12m with lobed leaves, greenish-yellow above, felted white beneath, and felted white young shoots. In early spring produces green female or red male catkins

Position

Full sun

Soil Types

Chalk, Clay, Loam, Sand

Max Height

8-12 metres

Max Spread

4-8 metres

Size

Time to Maturity: 20–50 years
Max Spread: 4-8 metres
Max Height: 8-12 metres

Growing Conditions

Chalk Clay Loam Sand

Moisture: Moist but well–drained or Poorly–drained or Well–drained
pH: Acid or Alkaline or Neutral

Position

Full sun

Aspect: South–facing or North–facing or West–facing or East–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: Salicaceae
Native to GB/Ireland: No
Foliage: Deciduous
Habit: Bushy
Genus: Populus are deciduous trees, mostly very fast-growing and large, with male and female catkins on separate trees, opening before the leaves. Male catkins are the more ornamental, female ones can be a nuisance from the cottony, wind-blown seeds
Name Status: Accepted

How to Grow

Cultivation

Best in deep, fertile, well-drained soil in full sun, but tolerates both damp and dry soils

Propagation

Propagate by hardwood cuttings in winter

Suggested planting locations and garden types

Cottage and informal garden
Low Maintenance

Pruning

Pruning group 1 or pruning group 7 for best foliage effect

Pests

May be susceptible to leaf beetles, sawflies and caterpillars

Diseases

May be susceptible to leaf spots, poplar bacterial canker, tree rusts and honey fungus