Populus × jackii 'Aurora' (f/v)
balm of Gilead 'Aurora'
A vigorous deciduous tree to 15m tall, with broadly ovate leaves to 15cm long, heavily marbled and splashed with cream, white and pink, especially in spring and summer
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Size
Ultimate height
Higher than 12 metresTime to ultimate height
20–50 yearsUltimate spread
Wider than 8 metresGrowing conditions
Moisture
Moist but well–drained, Poorly–drained, Well–drainedpH
Acid, Alkaline, NeutralColour & scent
Stem | Flower | Foliage | Fruit | |
Spring | Green | Cream Green Pink White | ||
---|---|---|---|---|
Summer | Cream Green Pink White | |||
Autumn | Cream Green Pink White | |||
Winter |
Position
- Full sun
- Partial shade
Aspect
South–facing or East–facing or West–facing
Exposure
Exposed Hardiness
H7Botanical details
- Family
- Salicaceae
- Native to the UK
- No
- Foliage
- Deciduous
- Habit
- Bushy
- Genus
Populus are deciduous trees, mostly very fast-growing and large, with male and female catkins on separate trees, opening before the leaves. Male catkins are the more ornamental, female ones can be a nuisance from the cottony, wind-blown seeds
- Name status
Accepted
How to grow
Cultivation
Grow in moist but well-drained, humus-rich, fertile soils but avoid planting in vicinity of buildings due to vigorous root system; it has the potential to become a nuisance. Very useful as a screen or as part of a shelter belt and grows very rapidly
Propagation
Propagate by hardwood cuttings in in winter. Remove suckers in autumn or late winter
Suggested planting locations and garden types
- Cottage and informal garden
- Coastal
- Flower borders and beds
Pruning
Pruning group 1; sucker removal if necessary in autumn or winter
Pests
May be susceptible to leaf beetles, sawflies and caterpillars
Diseases
May be susceptible to leaf spots, poplar bacterial canker, tree rusts and honey fungus
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