FASTIGIATE SWEETGUM

Liquidambar styraciflua 'Slender Silhouette'

COLLECTION

Westbrook Wall Garden

FAMILY

Hamamelidaceae

PLANT TYPE

Tree, Deciduous

ZONE

5-8

CULTURE

Native to eastern and central United States. Fastigiate Sweetgum is a medium to fast growing tree perfect for small spaces. It prefers full sun to part shade in moist, slightly acidic soil.

NOTEWORTHY CHARACTERISTICS

‘Slender Silhouette’ is a tall thin tree with star-shaped foliage, 4 to 7 inches wide, dark green in summer, turns yellow/orange to deep red in autumn.

PROBLEMS

This cultivar produces less woody, spiky 1 1/2 inch fruit than the species.

GARDEN USES

Train into an arched tunnel giving four-season interest. Use as a striking vertical accent in tight spaces.

HISTORY

A landscape feature added to the end of the Frederick Law Olmsted wall in 2014. ‘Slender Silhouette’ was introduced by Don Shadow of Shadow Nursery.