Liriodendron tulipifera yellow poplar, tulip tree

Belonging to the same family as magnolia, common name tulip tree may be misleading since this name is often used for magnolias with saucer-shaped flowers. Hence gardeners rather use its other name yellow poplar. This is the tree with huge lyra-like, saddle-shaped leaves which do appear to miss a lobe. They are rich green in summer and change to golden yellow in autumn.

Even nicer are definitely the flowers. They look like small tulips of creamy yellow and light green colour. At the bottom, each petal has an orange mark which is more conspicuous when looking inside the flower. The centre is full of beige pistils which are the same height as the flower itself. Yellow poplar begins flowering in June and continues for almost a month. Only 10 and older trees can produce flowers as far as the species, however, several other varieties have been bred that bloom from the age of 3 years already.

If pruned as young it can be kept a large dense shrub for some time, but uncontrolled it will finish up as a giant with some 25-30 meters in its maturity after many years. So find it a nice place with enough room for the crown. Yellow poplar needs the same type of soil and care like magnolias: evenly moist soil but well-drained, slightly acidic, humus-rich soil. Grow it in full sun and expect the crown to cast a good shade when mature. Pruning, if needed, is best done immediately after flowering. It is usually pest and disease free. Fully hardy to about -29°C (USDA zone 5).

Last update 18-07-2012