Liquidambar trees
Liquidambar trees, or sweet gums, are known for their spectacular autumn leaf colours.
Gum Ball
A small tree with maple like leaves, and stunning autumn colours.- Height after 10 years: 1.5m-2.5m / 5ft-8ft
Liquidambar styracifluaLiquidambar styraciflua
An attractive sweet gum tree with excellent autumnal foliage colours.£69.00 - £75.00buy- Height after 10 years: 3m-5m / 10ft-16ft
Liquidambar styracifluaPalo Alto
This form of Liquidambar features long narrow lobed leaves and strong long-lived autumnal foliage colours.£74.00buy- Height after 10 years: 3m-5m / 10ft-16ft
- Awards: RHS AGM (current)
Liquidambar styracifluaSlender Silhouette
Slender Silhouette is a particularly columnar form of Liquidambar, with vibrant yellow and red autumn foliage colours.£74.00buy- Height after 10 years: 3m-5m / 10ft-16ft
- Awards: RHS AGM (current)
Liquidambar styracifluaStared
Stared features small dainty 7-lobed leaves which are deeply incised and offer strong autumn colours.£74.00buy- Height after 10 years: 5m-8m / 16ft-25ft
Liquidambar styracifluaWorplesdon
An elegant upright conical tree with excellent orange and gold autumn leaf colours.£74.00buy- Height after 10 years: 3m-5m / 10ft-16ft
- Awards: RHS AGM (current)
Liquidambar styraciflua
How to choose Liquidambar trees
Liquidambar trees are native to the eastern areas of North America, found particularly in low-lying areas near lakes or rivers or swamps.
They are grown primarily for their attractive forms, and especially for the bright autumnal leaf colours. Their lobed leaves and colourful foliage resemble those of Maples but their fruits are tiny spiky balls (known as gumballs"), whereas maples have winged seeds.
For best results in the UK plant in full sun in a sheltered location with well-drained soil, which may be neutral or slightly acidic. The strongest autumn colours are somewhat dependent on the weather - the ideal is a long spell of sunny days and clear cold nights.