Sweetgum Tree | Liquidambar styraciflua 'Slender Silhouette'
A column of autumn vibrancy
Grown by Mike
Roots' Cotswolds Valley Nursery
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Sweetgum Tree
Liquidambar styraciflua 'Slender Silhouette'
- Few trees can rival sweetgums when it comes to autumn colour, and 'Slender Silhouette' is no exception. With its striking fastigiate (upright) habit, the fiery hues this tree takes on later in the year creates the impression of a roaring tongue of flame, shooting upwards into the sky.
- The leaves themselves are maple-like in appearance, typically boasting five deep lobes and arranged in an alternate (rather than opposite) pattern. They start out a rich emerald green before adopting the orange, red and purple shades that make it so impactful.
- Alongside the dramatic foliage, the tree also produces highly-ornamental spiny fruits, often referred to as gum balls.
- Sweetgums derive their name from the aromatic, sticky resin produced by the trees when wounded. This gum was used as a topical salve by the Aztecs many thousands of years ago, to help treat skin infections, while Native Americans used it as a treatment for coughs, dysentery and various other ailments.
- A deserving recipient of the RHS's Award of Garden Merit, an accolade bestowed upon those plants proven to perform particularly well in British gardens.
What to expect
Supplied as
Height on arrival
Eventual height
Eventual spread
Habit
Hardiness
Spacing
Will this grow in my garden?
Can I grow this in a pot?
Yes, Sweetgum Tree can be grown in a pot initially. Start with a 50cm pot. Depending on its vigour, it may need moving to the ground after a few years. Ensure adequate drainage and water regularly during warm weather above 20°C.
How big does it get?
The Sweetgum Tree 'Slender Silhouette' is very narrow, reaching a height of 12 to 15 metres with a spread of only 1 to 2 metres, although it can be maintained at a smaller size with regular pruning.
How much sunlight does this need?
Sweetgum Tree prefers full sun to partial shade, requiring at least 4 to 6 hours of direct sunlight daily to thrive.
What kind of soil does this plant prefer?
Sweetgum Tree prefers moist, well-drained, slightly acidic soil to thrive. Ensure the soil does not freeze below -5°C for optimal root health, applying a 5cm layer of mulch in winter.
How much watering does this plant need?
Sweetgum Tree requires regular watering, especially during its first few years of establishment. Provide approximately 10 to 20 litres of water per week, ensuring the soil remains moist but well-drained. During hot weather above 25°C, increase watering frequency to prevent the roots from drying out.
Will this plant need pruning?
Sweetgum Tree should be pruned in late winter or early spring while dormant, removing any dead, diseased, or crossing branches.
How hardy is this plant?
Liquidambar styraciflua 'Slender Silhouette' holds an RHS hardiness rating of H6, making it fully hardy in the UK and able to survive temperatures down to -20°C.
The wider garden
Roots' Cotswolds Valley Nursery
Meet Mike
Tree-growing skills honed right across the globe
Having started out in Australia, studied in Northern Ireland and volunteered at an organic farm in Sweden, it’s fair to say Mike’s done his fair share of travel on his horticultural journey, so far! Having happily laid down roots here at Roots, Mike is the don behind our tree-growing operation, imparting each and every one of his globally-honed skills to benefit your garden. Grown in our purpose-built nursery, in the ideal climatic conditions of the fertile Vale of Evesham, we’re proud to supply only the happiest, healthiest and hardiest trees.
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