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Trees

Liquidambar styraciflua 'Silver King' (v)

sweet gum 'Silver King'

A large, upright, conical tree. The five-lobed leaves have irregular, creamy-white margins, spreading into the leaves to create grey-green areas, and developing a pink flush in late summer. Leaves turn purple and dark red in autumn, but retain the pale border. Inconspicuous flowers are followed by burr-like fruit that stay on the tree through winter

Synonyms

Liquidambar styraciflua 'Silver Knight'
Liquidambar styraciflua 'Variegata' misapplied
see moreLiquidambar styraciflua 'Albomarginata'
Liquidambar styraciflua 'Argenteovariegata'

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Plant nurseries
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Ultimate height

Higher than 12 metres

Time to ultimate height

more than 50 years

Ultimate spread

Wider than 8 metres

Clay

Loam

Sand

Moisture

Moist but well–drained, Well–drained

pH

Acid, Neutral

	Stem	Flower	Foliage	Fruit
Spring
Summer
Autumn
Winter

Full sun
Partial shade

Aspect

South–facing or West–facing or East–facing

Exposure

Exposed or Sheltered

Hardiness
Hardiness ratings
All ratings refer to the UK growing conditions unless otherwise stated. Minimum temperature ranges (in degrees C) are shown in brackets
H1a: under glass all year (>15C)
H1b: can be grown outside in the summer (10 - 15)
H1c: can be grown outside in the summer (5 - 10)
H2: tolerant of low temperatures, but not surviving being frozen (1 to 5)
H3: hardy in coastal and relatively mild parts of the UK (-5 to 1)
H4: hardy through most of the UK (-10 to -5)
H5: hardy in most places throughout the UK even in severe winters (-15 to -10)
H6: hardy in all of UK and northern Europe (-20 to -15)
H7: hardy in the severest European continental climates (< -20)

Botanical details

Family: Hamamelidaceae
Native to GB / Ireland: No
Foliage: Deciduous
Habit: Bushy
Genus: Liquidambar are deciduous trees grown for their alternate, maple-like leaves which take on brilliant and long-lasting autumn colour; flowers and fruits are inconspicuous
Name status: Accepted

How to grow

Cultivation

Grow in moderately fertile, preferably acid or neutral, moist but well-drained soil, in full sun for best autumn colour

Propagation

Propagate by semi-hardwood cuttings, or by grafting in winter

Suggested planting locations and garden types

Coastal
Cottage and informal garden

Pruning

Pruning group 1

Pests

Generally pest-free

Diseases

May be susceptible to honey fungus

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