Liriodendron tulipifera Emerald City - Tulip Tree

The Liriodendron tulipifera 'Emerald City' is a variety of the Virginia Tulip Tree that stands out for its very vertical growth, slightly compact, with an upright and conical habit, harmonious, around a dominant central trunk. The glossy green foliage is darker than other varieties. It also stands out for its non-invasive growth habit, which does not interfere with nearby foundations. The tree's roots are flexible, easy to cut, and do not spread too far. Otherwise, this deciduous tree is similar to the species, much appreciated for its beautiful autumn colours, in shades of gold and orange, and its surprising summer flowering on mature subjects, in the form of curious tulip-shaped flowers in pale yellow-green, orange at the base.

The Virginia 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 in its native lands. However, in our gardens, its adult size varies between 15 and 25m in height.

The 'Emerald City' cultivar, which grows fairly quickly, reaches an average height of 15m with a spread of 7m. Its straight trunk is covered with a thick, networked, greyish bark and topped with a columnar and closed crown. The young branches are grey-orange in colour, then become dark grey. Its 10 to 15 cm leaves are deciduous, divided into 4 lobes separated by clear notches, giving them the shape of a tulip. The foliage is dark green from spring to summer, then turns yellow-orange in autumn. The flowering takes place from May to July, less abundant than in the species. The flowers of this Liriodendron are solitary, with 9 very light green tepals, slightly yellowish to white, tinged with orange at the base, arranged in a wide cup-shaped form reminiscent of tulips. They measure about 4 cm long by 6 cm wide and 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 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 in winter. It releases winged achenes measuring 3 to 5 cm. The root of this tree, taproot and fleshy, anchors deeply in the soil, which should therefore be deep, loose, and well-drained.

The 'Emerald City' Virginia Tulip Tree thrives in deep, fertile, and moist soil, showing vigorous and rapid growth and natural elegance. Perfectly hardy, it prefers sunny exposures. Its naturally harmonious habit does not require pruning. It is highlighted when planted as a specimen on a lawn. Its moderate size makes it suitable for medium to large gardens and for use as a screen or boundary tree. For example, it can be combined 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.