Liriodendron x (tulipifera x chinense)

This tulip tree (yellow poplar) is a hybrid species that comes from crossbreeding of l.tulipifera (the hardier one) and l.chinense (the one with large leaves but more tender). Its leaves are up to 20 cm long which represents an increase of 30-50% in size as opposed to l.tulipifera. Their shape is also different as the lobes are deeper and tips are rounded, not pointed. They are deciduous, pale crimson red as they emerge, soft green in summer, and turning deep yellow in autumn.

The name tulip tree was chosen for its flowers that do look like small tulips. They are tulip-shaped, greenish-yellow with a broad orange band and appear in early summer at the tips of branches and are. They may be inconspicuous from a distance but are definitely very attractive up close. The blooming age is estimated as min. 10 years, non-grafted plants may take a little longer.

Pruning is not needed. Still, if you need to shape the plant or if you wish to keep it smaller because of the size of your garden do so in late winter. On the other hand, if you grow it for flowers cut it after flowering i.e. from mid to late July. Another way of pruning which is very popular with hybrid is pollarding: cut off previous year's branches to about 20-30% of their original size in early spring. This way you can achieve extra large leaves.

Tulip tree likes full sun or partial shade with some direct sun during the day. It needs fertile, preferably acidic, moist but well-drained soil. It is usually pest and disease free. This hybrid proved to be hardy to about -27°C (USDA zone 5b).

Last update 05-01-2011; 18-07-2012