Liriodendron

The tulip tree (Liriodendron tulipifera) is a striking

Deciduous refers to plants (mainly trees and shrubs) that lose their leaves seasonally, usually during autumn. This is a natural process triggered by the season's shorter days and lower temperatures and allows plants to conserve energy during the winter months.

Bark is the outermost layer of woody plants (trees, shrubs and woody climbers). It is several cells thick and provides protection against physical damage, disease and environmental stresses. Bark comes in a wide variety of colours and patterns, and these can help gardeners when identifying plants. The fissures and crevices of bark on older plants also creates valuable habitat for many garden creatures as well as lichens and small plants.

bark

A native plant is one that originated or arrived naturally in a particular place without human involvement. In the British Isles, native plants are those that were here during the last ice age or have arrived unaided since.

native

RHS Wisley’s National Plant Collection

RHS Garden Wisley is home to one of the UK’s most diverse collections of tulip trees, proudly holding National Collection status since March 2020. Across its 185-acre site, RHS Wisley showcases 18 different types of Liriodendron, including rare and unusual cultivars.

Liriodendron tulipifera ‘Fastigiatum’

Gardeners often use the word variety when referring to a specific plant, but the correct botanical term is 'cultivar'. Whichever word you use, it means a distinctive plant or plants, given a specific cultivar name and usually bred to enhance certain characteristics, such as flower or fruit size, colour, flavour or fragrance, plant size, hardiness, disease resistance, etc. Additionally, it is worth knowing that, botanically, variety has another meaning - it refers to a naturally-occurring distinct plant that only has slight differences in its looks. For example, Malva alcea var. fastigiata differs from typical plants by having an upright habit.

cultivar

• L. × sinoamericanum ‘Chapel Hill’ – a
  A plant produced by crossing two distinct parents, often different species, to produce offspring that combine the characteristics of both. Hybrids can occur naturally, but crosses are often made deliberately by plant breeders to produce plants with better yield, improved flowering or vigour, or improved disease resistance.

  hybrid between chinense and tulipifera, noted for coppery-pink emerging foliage
• L. ‘Snowbird’ – a striking cultivar with pale white
  Variegated means having leaves or other plant parts with streaks, blotches or patches of different colours. Typically, these would be a combination of two colours, such as green and gold or green and white.

  variegation that contrasts beautifully against green backgrounds
• L. ‘Glen Gold’ – raised in Australia, this tree boasts large yellow leaves fading to lime green, offering a bold garden statement

Liriodendron tulipifera ‘Snow Bird’

Liriodendron × sinoamericanum ‘Chapel Hill’

Pruning for smaller spaces

While tulip trees are renowned for their grandeur, their size can deter gardeners with limited space. At RHS Wisley, innovative pruning techniques have made these trees accessible to smaller gardens. Over the past three years, the team has successfully experimented with coppicing, cutting young trees back to 45 cm above the graft union after establishment. This bold approach encourages vigorous regrowth with oversized foliage, creating a lush shrub-like effect.

Although coppiced trees will not flower, the dramatic foliage more than compensates. Annual pruning maintains the form and after several years a network of branch unions develops, producing even more extension growth. For best results, ensure good growing conditions and apply a balanced fertiliser post-pruning. This technique works particularly well on L. chinense where new leaves emerge in coppery-bronze tones, and can also be applied to species such as Catalpa and Paulownia.

Liriodendron tulipifera ‘Mediopictum’

Why grow tulip trees?

Tulip trees offer year-round interest, from their curious leaf shape and vibrant flowers to rich autumn colour. With thoughtful pruning, these qualities need not be confined to large gardens and parks. Whether adding bold greenery to a courtyard or creating a tropical-inspired scheme, Liriodendron is a genus that rewards adventurous gardeners.

Liriodendron tulipifera ‘Fastigiatum’ at RHS Garden Wisley in the autumn