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Liriodendron tulipifera Purgatory - Tulip Tree

Liriodendron tulipifera Purgatory
Tulip Tree, Yellow Poplar, Tulipwood, Tulip Poplar

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A slow-growing variety of Tulip Tree, less vigorous than the species, which bears large leaves, randomly spotted with golden yellow in the centre and turning golden in autumn. It is also appreciated for its unusual and fragrant summer flowering, resembling, pale greenish-yellow tulips with an orange base. Plant in full sun in deep, rich soil that does not dry out in summer. Make sure to leave enough space for this tree, which can reach a height of 9-10 m with a spread of 5 to 7 m!
Flower size
10 cm
Height at maturity
9.50 m
Spread at maturity
6 m
Exposure
Sun, Partial shade
Hardiness
Hardy down to -29°C
Soil moisture
Moist soil
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Best planting time February, November
Recommended planting time February to April, September to November
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Flowering time May to July
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Description

Liriodendron tulipifera 'Purgatory' is a selection of the Tulip Tree with particularly ornamental foliage, featuring large leaves of unusual shape and randomly speckled with bright yellow in the centre. This deciduous tree also offers beautiful autumn colours and original tulip-shaped, greenish-yellow flowers with orange accents, on a mature subject. It is a relatively slow-growing tree, eventually becoming large. It is best suited for medium-sized gardens or large plots.

The Tulip Tree, from the magnolia family, is native to the central-western United States. This tree, which can live up to 300 years (in Europe), can reach a height of 40m in its native regions. However, in our gardens, its adult size varies between 15 and 25m in height.
The cultivar 'Purgatory' was selected in 1996 at the Bomer Nursery in Zundert, Netherlands. It has a slower growth rate than the standard variety and differs by having a more modest stature, as well as larger leaves that are marked with golden yellow towards the centre. Ultimately, this tree will reach an average height of 9m with a spread of 5-6m. It has a broadly conical, curved habit, composed of a relatively short, straight trunk covered with a greyish bark and topped with a crown that reaches 5 to 6m in spread. The young branches are dark red, then become dark grey. Its 10 to 20cm leaves are deciduous and divided into 4 lobes with a pointed tip, separated by distinct notches. The foliage is a shiny, very vibrant green, randomly speckled with yellow in the centre, and turns yellow in autumn before falling. The flowering takes place from May to July. The flowers of this Liriodendron are solitary, with 9 very light green, slightly yellowish tepals, tinged with orange at the base, arranged in a wide cup shape like tulips. They are slightly fragrant, with a lemony scent. Inside the cup, there is a large cream-white central cone, surrounded by a crown of erect stamens measuring 4 to 5cm. Fruit forms on mature trees and resembles that of the magnolia: egg-shaped, dark brown, 5cm long, and persisting through winter. It releases winged achenes measuring 3 to 5cm.

The 'Purgatory' Tulip Tree is perfectly hardy and prefers rich, deep, and moist soils, and sunny exposures. It will fit well in a spacious garden, planted as a solitary tree on a lawn, near a large pond, or used as a boundary tree. It can be associated with tall blue conifers such as Cedrus libani atlantica 'Glauca', Cupressus arizonica 'Fastigiata', or Chamaecyparis lawsoniana 'Columnaris', for the contrast of foliage colours in autumn. Its bright foliage will also be enhanced a purple beech 'Riversii'.

Liriodendron tulipifera Purgatory - Tulip Tree in pictures

Liriodendron tulipifera Purgatory - Tulip Tree (Foliage) Foliage

Plant habit

Height at maturity 9.50 m
Spread at maturity 6 m
Habit spreading
Growth rate normal

Flowering

Flower colour green
Flowering time May to July
Inflorescence Solitary
Flower size 10 cm
Fragrance slightly scented, Lemon-scented perfume
Good for cut flowers Cut flower blooms

Foliage

Foliage persistence Deciduous
Foliage colour variegated with yellow

Botanical data

Genus

Liriodendron

Species

tulipifera

Cultivar

Purgatory

Family

Magnoliaceae

Other common names

Tulip Tree, Yellow Poplar, Tulipwood, Tulip Poplar

Origin

Cultivar or hybrid

Product reference19353

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Planting and care

The 'Purgatory' Tulip Tree prefers deep, loose, rich, and clayey soils, and a sunny or semi-shaded exposure. It requires moist soil throughout the year and withstands cold winters perfectly. However, it does not tolerate drought well. It will adapt to slightly acidic, neutral, or slightly limestone soils. This tree does not appreciate significant pruning.

Note: This variety is known to be unstable, meaning that the variegation of the foliage can vary from one subject to another. If you notice that a new branch only bears entirely green leaves, which are different from the others, we advise you to prune it.

Planting period

Best planting time February, November
Recommended planting time February to April, September to November

Intended location

Suitable for Meadow
Type of use Free-standing
Hardiness Hardy down to -29°C (USDA zone 5) Show map
Ease of cultivation Amateur
Planting density 1 per m2
Exposure Sun, Partial shade
Soil pH Any
Soil type Clayey (heavy), Clayey-chalky (heavy and alkaline), Silty-loamy (rich and light)
Soil moisture Moist soil, Deep, substantial, consistent.

Care

Pruning No pruning necessary
Soil moisture Moist soil
Disease resistance Good
Overwinter Can be left in the ground

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