Liquidambar styracyflua Stella - American Sweetgum

Liquidambar styraciflua 'Stella', or Sweet gum 'Stella', is a bushy tree with a conical to pyramidal habit that can also be pruned to maintain a bushy shape. Its large palmate leaves are star-shaped (stella in Latin) and have deeply cut lobes. Some lobes are themselves further divided, giving the leaves an extremely decorative appearance throughout the season. In autumn, the foliage changes from yellow to crimson red, providing a spectacle that lasts for several weeks. It has a moderate growth compared to other Sweetgums, making it perfectly suited for small gardens.

Belonging to the Altingiaceae family (formerly Hamamelidaceae), the Sweet gum 'Stella' will grow into a small tree reaching about 6 to 10 metres (19 feet 8 inches to 32 feet 10 inches) in height and 3 to 4 metres (9 feet 10 inches to 13 feet 1 inch) in width. By shaping it as a bush and pruning it at the end of each winter, its height can be limited to 3 or 4 metres (9 feet 10 inches or 13 feet 1 inch) and its width to 2.50 or 3 meters (8 feet 2 inches or 9 feet 10 inches).
Its growth is moderate, around 40 cm (15.7 in) per year. The 15-20 cm (5.9-7.9 in) leaves with particularly narrow and cut lobes are shiny green. The first leaves in spring have entire lobes and a star-like appearance. The leaves that emerge during the season have serrations on the lobes, giving them an astonishing architectural design that evokes snow crystals. They develop wonderful autumnal colours ranging from yellow to bright red, persisting on the tree for a long time. The inconspicuous spring flowers then give way to curious green balls about 3 cm (1.2 in) in diameter, adorned with pointed protrusions that are very ornamental. The bark is smooth and grey.

This hardy tree appreciates deep, moist, and humus-rich soils, and can tolerate brief periods of flooding. It prefers slightly acidic to neutral soils, without excessive limestone.
Perfect for limited spaces or medium-sized gardens, the 'Stella' Sweetgum will benefit from a clear and sunny location where its natural habit can fully express itself. In well-drained soil, it can be associated with the Cercidiphyllum japonicum, the caramel tree, planted in the background. The heart-shaped leaves of the latter will contrast with the angular leaves of the Sweetgum, offering an original contrast during the season. Another contrast in autumn, the pink, yellow, and orange autumn colours of the Cercidiphyllum will be enhanced by the powerful red of the Liquidambar.

In the same vein, the foreground can accommodate a bush such as the 'Midwinter Fire' dogwood (Cornus sanguinea 'Midwinter Fire'), whose yellow autumn foliage will work wonders at the base of the scarlet Sweetgum. After the leaves have fallen, the grey bark of the Sweetgum will highlight the coral-red shoots of the dogwood.