Liquidambar styraciflua 'Penwood'
(Sweet Gum 'Penwood')
Family - Hamamelidaceae
Category - Tree
Origin - Named for Penwood Nurseries in Hampshire, UK
Discovered By - Selected by Douglas Harris, plantsman and nurseryman
Season of Interest - Spring, Summer, Autumn
Hardiness - H6
Height - up to 25m
Width - up to 12m
Location - The Hot Garden
Description: A large, Deciduous tree with a pyramidal outline. Glossy mid to dark green leaves are palmately lobed with five pointed lobes. Male and female flowers are produced separately on the same plant (monoecious). Both male and female flowers are small, yellowish-green and usually considered to be visually insignificant to the overall appearance of the tree. The female flowers are followed by round, brown, roughly spiky seed Capsules. The foliage turns brilliant shades of red, orange and yellow in autumn and is retained on the tree for a long time before falling.
Award of Garden Merit (AGM).
Flower:
Small, greenish-yellow flowers are held in dense clusters and produced in March and April. Male and female flowers are produced separately, but held on the same tree (monoecious). The flowers are followed by woody, globose and spiky seed capsules.
Flower colour: Green
Flower shape: Small flowers held in clusters
Flowering time: March, April
Foliage:
Glossy, mid to dark green leaves are palmately lobed, usually with five pointed lobes. The bark and mature branches have a cork-like texture. The leaves are Alternately arranged on the branches and turn magnificent shades of red, orange and yellow in autumn before falling. The leaves are retained on the tree well into late autumn.
Foliage Senescence: Deciduous
Foliage Shape: Palmately lobed
Autumn Colour: Red, orange, yellow
Propagation:
Cuttings, grafting.
Cultivation:
Best in full sun to partial shade in moisture-retentive soil that is well-drained. This plant will not tolerate shallow, chalky soils and will have more pronounced autumn colour when grown in acidic soil.