Topiary Mini Standard Liquidambar Gumball 25/30cm 7L

Liquidambar styraciflua 'Gumball', commonly known as the American Sweet Gum tree, is a striking and elegant deciduous tree renowned for its stunning autumn foliage. This compact, standard tree features glossy, maple-like leaves with 5 to 7 acuminate lobes. Throughout the growing season, the leaves remain a vibrant bright green, transforming into a spectacular display of golden yellow, orange, bright red, crimson, and purple in the autumn.

The bark of the 'Gumball' is particularly notable, beginning as green in its first year before maturing into a grey hue with deepening corky ribs. Although the flowers and fruits are not particularly showy, they add to the tree's unique charm. The male flowers are yellowish and round, grouped in racemes, while the female flowers form in short inflorescences. The fruits are round, initially green, turning brown when ripe, and resemble the smaller fruit of plane trees, with a spiky woody capsule.

Liquidambar styraciflua 'Gumball' thrives in deep, moist soils but adapts well to various soil types as long as they are not too dry or very calcareous. This tree is versatile in its use, whether planted singly, in groups of three, or alongside other colourful foliage trees as a street plant. Its growth can be effectively managed with pruning, which it tolerates exceptionally well, making it suitable even for small gardens. Grown as a quarter standard, its height is restricted, but the topiarised head continues to spread beautifully in a spherical form, adding a touch of elegance and vibrant colour to any landscape.