Palo Alto sweet gum
Liquidambar styraciflua 'Palo Alto'
RHS AGM 2012
USDA zones5 to 9
SunHandles full sun to partial sun
WaterHandles dry to wet soil
- Growth rate
- Rapid
- Habit
- Pyramidal
- Bloom season
- Spring, summer
- Soil types
- Sand, loam, clay
Garden uses
Attracts
Notes
'Palo Alto' sweet gum (Liquidambar styraciflua 'Palo Alto') is a tree for pollinator gardens and low maintenance landscapes. It is hardy to USDA zone 5, or down to -20°F (-29°C). This plant likes full or part sun and dry to wet, sandy, loamy, or clay soil. Deer and rabbits tend to pass it by. It grows at a rapid rate and forms a pyramidal shape. Bees and birds visit it, and the leaves are fragrant.
Pairs well with Boxelder, Autumn fern, and Blue Mouse Ears hosta.