Liquidambar styraciflua ‘Stared’ – A Distinctive Sweet Gum with Striking Star-Shaped Foliage and Vibrant Autumn Colour
Liquidambar styraciflua ‘Stared’ is a superb ornamental tree known for its deeply lobed, star-shaped leaves and its spectacular autumn transformation. Supplied here as a semi-mature specimen in a 50-litre pot with a 10/12cm girth, this tree brings immediate presence and year-round interest to gardens, avenues, or large landscapes.
Seasonal Beauty & Growth
Spring: Fresh green foliage emerges with sharply cut, deeply lobed leaves that give the tree its ‘Stared’ name.
Summer: The canopy develops into a handsome, symmetrical shape, providing light shade and texture.
Autumn: The standout season – foliage explodes into fiery shades of red, orange, burgundy, and purple.
Winter: Unique corky bark and elegant branching structure add sculptural interest after leaf fall.
Structure & Form
Height & Spread: Reaches higher than 12m and a spread of greater than 8m at maturity, with a pyramidal form and strong central leader.
Foliage: Distinctive star-shaped leaves with deeply incised lobes, offering dramatic visual texture.
Bark: Grey and ridged, becoming more characterful with age.
Perfect for Various Landscapes
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Specimen Tree – Ideal as a standalone feature in lawns or larger borders.
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Avenue Planting – Use in a line to create structure and symmetry with seasonal drama.
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Urban Gardens & Parks – Tolerates pollution and provides seasonal colour in city settings.
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Woodland Edges – Adds contrast and diversity to mixed tree plantings.
Growing Conditions & Care
Position: Prefers full sun for best autumn colour but tolerates light shade.
Soil: Thrives in moist, well-drained soils with a neutral to acidic pH. Avoid heavy, waterlogged areas.
Hardiness: Fully hardy and suitable for most parts of the UK.
Maintenance: Low maintenance. Minimal pruning required – shape only if necessary in late winter.
Why Choose Liquidambar ‘Stared’?
- Unique, deeply lobed star-shaped foliage for standout texture.
- Exceptional autumn colour – a vibrant seasonal highlight.
- Elegant, upright form makes it ideal for formal and informal settings.
- Hardy, resilient, and pollution-tolerant – great for urban landscapes.
Perfect Plant Combinations
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Underplant with ornamental grasses – Miscanthus or Hakonechloa provide soft contrast.
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Combine with late-season perennials – Asters, Rudbeckias, and Sedums extend the autumn display.
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Pair with contrasting trees – Birches or Acers highlight Liquidambar’s autumn palette.
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Evergreen backdrops – Let the autumn foliage shine against a green background of Yew or Holly.
Liquidambar styraciflua ‘Stared’ offers dramatic seasonal interest, a stately form, and unique foliage that earns it a place in any garden or landscape where beauty, structure, and autumn brilliance are prized.
