Liriodendron tulipifera Snow Bird

Liriodendron tulipifera 'Snow Bird' is a variety of Tulip tree that combines beautiful variegated foliage with an elegant habit. With a narrower width, it is better suited for smaller gardens. This deciduous tree offers autumn colours in shades of gold and the same surprising summer flowering as the species. A mature specimen will produce tulip-shaped flowers in pale yellowish-green, with orange tones at the base, discreet but beautiful. Planted in deep, fertile, and moist soil, this Tulip tree will display all its natural elegance, particularly when planted as a specimen tree.

The Tulip tree, from the magnolia family, is native to the central-western United States, where it often grows near watercourses. This tree, which can live up to 300 years (in Europe), can reach a height of 40m at maturity in its native habitat. However, in our gardens, its adult size varies between 15 and 25m in height.

The 'Snowbird' variety is a horticultural selection attributed to James Palmer Rumbal, a long-time researcher at the New Zealand nursery Duncan & Davies. Its very upright branches are almost parallel to the trunk. The crown is very narrow during the tree's early years and then widens, although not as much as typically observed in this Tulip tree. Growing slightly slower than the species, this variety will reach an average height of 12m with a spread of 4m. Its straight trunk is covered with a thick, fissured greyish bark and topped with a columnar and closed crown. The young branches are greyish-orange, then become dark gray. Its leaves, measuring 10 to 15 cm, are deciduous and divided into 4 lobes separated by distinct notches, resembling a tulip shape. The leaf blade is dark green in the center, widely bordered with yellow turning creamy. The foliage turns yellow in autumn before falling. Flowering occurs from May to July. The flowers of this Liriodendron are solitary, with 9 tepals of a very pale greenish-yellow to white colour, tinged with orange at the base, arranged in a wide cup shape reminiscent of tulips. They measure approximately 6 cm long and 10 cm wide, and are slightly fragrant with a lemony scent. Inside the cup, a large creamy-white central cone is surrounded by a crown of erect stamens measuring 4 to 5 cm. Forming on mature individuals, the fruit of the tulip tree resembles that of the magnolia: it is ovoid, dark brown, 5 cm long, and persists throughout winter. It releases winged achenes measuring 3 to 5 cm. The root of this tree is a fleshy and taproot, anchoring deeply into the soil, which should be deep, loose, and well-drained.

The hardy 'Snow Bird' Tulip tree prefers sunny exposures. Less bulky than the species, it can be planted in medium to large gardens, as a specimen tree on a lawn or near a large pond. At its base, ground covers that thrive in shade or dappled light can be planted, such as Pachysandra terminalis or Asarum europaeum (European wild ginger). To enhance the brightness of the foliage of this tulip tree, shrubs with purple or dark red foliage can be planted nearby, such as Physocarpus opulifolius 'Diabolo' or Berberis thunbergii 'Atropurpurea'.