Liquidamber Styraciflua Slender Silhouette

Liquidambar Styraciflua Slender Silhouette or Sweet Gum Slender Silhouette, has much to recommend it to the UK gardener. Sweet Gum trees are deciduous trees native to the eastern United States and have been grown in the UK since the 1680’s. This new Liquidambar Styraciflua cultivar was introduced around 2000 having being found growing in the wild in Tennessee. It has been awarded the RHS Award of Garden Merit. It is notable for its extremely narrow growth habit, even at maturity, maintaining a height to width ratio of 5:1. Sweet gum trees can live for upwards of 200 years. The deeply-lobed star-shaped maple-like dark green leaves cover the narrow tree densely, and then turn brilliant shades of yellow, orange and red in autumn, remaining on the tree for an extended period of time. The insignificant white flowers of early spring are followed in autumn and winter by brown, spiky balls 3 cm across, adding winter interest along with the deeply furrowed bark.

Height and Spread of Liquidambar Styraciflua Slender Silhouette
Liquidambar Styraciflua Slender Silhouette will grow to 3-4 metres high and 1 metre wide in 10 years, reaching a mature height of 18 metres and spread of just 2 metres. It has a tall, slender fastigiated habit.

How Hardy Is Liquidambar Styraciflua Slender Silhouette?
Liquidambar Styraciflua Slender Silhouette is fully hardy in the UK.

How to Use Liquidambar Styraciflua Slender Silhouette
The strikingly narrow shape of Liquidambar Styraciflua Slender Silhouette makes it an excellent architectural specimen for even small gardens. As a focal point in a small lawn, it will take up little lateral space and still deliver a big punch with its graceful height and attractive foliage, as well as providing winter interest.  

How to Care for Liquidambar Styraciflua Slender Silhouette
Plant Liquidambar Styraciflua Slender Silhouette in full sun or dappled shade in an exposed or sheltered position in moist but well-drained sand, clay or loam soil with an acid to neutral pH. Add an acid-based fertilizer on an annual basis to ensure brilliant autumn colour. Moderately tolerant of aerosol salt and wind, Sweet Gum Slender Silhouette can be planted in coastal regions, and will also withstand pollution in city gardens. Resistant to both insects and disease, with little or no pruning required, this is an excellent low-maintenance choice.

Wherever you are looking for a tree with a strong vertical accent and brilliant autumn colour, Liquidambar Styraciflua Slender Silhouette is the ideal choice! The unusual leaves lend distinction to this cultivar, with foliage interest in the spring and summer as well as glorious autumn colour.