BlueBell Arboretum & Nursery

Growers of rare trees & shrubs

Description

Our most popular cultivar, Liquidambar styraciflua 'Festival' gives the finest display of autumn colour in our gardens! The leaves are a bright green in spring and summer before turning a rich, burgundy-red in autumn. Not only is the autumn colour excellent, it also lasts for a long time, often from mid September well into November. A spectacular garden tree.

Features

• Common name: Sweet Gum.
• Position: Full sun.
• Soil: Moist, fertile soil. Liquidambar styraciflua 'Festival' will grow well in most areas but will produce its most bright and vivid autumn colour in lime free or acidic soils.
• Hardiness: Reasonably hardy. Young plants can suffer die back after very severe late spring frosts, but usually recover well.
• Rate of Growth: Moderate to vigorous.
• Habit: Medium sized or eventually a large, branching tree.
• Height: 18 m (60 ft).
• Spread: 12 m (40 ft).
• Notes: The autumn colour of individual plants will vary according to weather and in particular the pH of your soil. The best, most vivid colours will occur in lime-free or acid soils. A liberal annual application of flowers of sulphur around the base of a Liquidambar, at a rate of up to 2 oz. per square yard on neutral or slightly alkaline soils will slowly lower the pH and intensify the autumn colour!
• Supplied Size: 120 - 140 cm tall in 5L containers