Populus alba Richardii - White Poplar

Populus alba 'Richardii' is a variety of the White Poplar that is easily recognized by its foliage. Golden-green on the upper side, the leaves have a white down on the underside and create a dynamic scene when the wind moves them. Fast-growing, it forms a small to medium-sized tree with a silver-grey bark that is quite ornamental. It is very hardy and adapts to most non-acidic soils. This variety appreciates moisture, but it is capable of withstanding drought once well established.

The Poplar is the most well-known member, along with the Willow, of the Salicaceae family. The Populus genus includes 35 species native to temperate and cold zones of the northern hemisphere. Populus alba is native to central and southern Europe, as well as western and central Asia. It is a large, fast-growing tree (13 m in 20 years) that can reach up to 30 m in height at maturity and live up to 400 years for exceptional specimens. Capable of forming a trunk of 1 m in diameter by the age of 50, it produces abundant suckers, sometimes up to 20 m from the trunk. Its species name comes from the white felting that covers the underside of the young leaves (alba = white in Latin).
Populus alba 'Richardii' is an old variety, first presented at the International Exhibition of Chelsea in 1921, organized by the prestigious Royal Horticultural Society (RHS) of London. However, this White Poplar is significantly less vigorous than the botanical species. In 20 years, it will reach approximately 8 m in height and 4 m in width, and at maturity, around the age of 50, it will reach 12, or even 15 m in height and 9 m in spread. The tree forms an open crown, more or less irregular and spreading, unless severely pruned every winter, in which case it will be possible to give it a wide, conical silhouette that is more regular. Its trunk is covered with a rather ornamental silver-grey bark, but it is its foliage that attracts attention. The small, 5 to 10 cm leaves, are divided into three main lobes and often two smaller ones. Their trident shape is pleasing to the eye, and their colour even more so. The young leaves have a particularly attractive golden yellow colour, while the underside is whitish. The young branches are also white. Gradually, as the season progresses, the leaves tend to turn yellow-green, with several stages coexisting on the tree. Similarly, yellow and green coexist on the same leaf blade, so that the foliage has a variable overall appearance. This dynamic colour is reinforced by the action of the wind, which enjoys orienting the leaves in one direction and then another like a mobile. The result is a shimmering scene that is quite fascinating and highly decorative. As the Poplar is a dioecious plant, there are male trees and female trees. The male trees produce small red catkins in spring (March-April), which are the most decorative, although relatively discreet, while the female catkins are greenish.

The White Poplar 'Richardii' is an interesting tree for the movement effect it brings to a garden with the slightest gust of wind that stirs the leaves at the end of their flexible petiole. Pair it with other woody plants with colourful foliage such as Sambucus nigra 'Black Beauty' (Gerda), a large shrub with magnificent dark purple cut foliage that will contrast admirably with the yellow of the Poplar. Green foliage will also be interesting in this scene, for example that of Amelanchier canadensis 'October Flame', whose abundant white star-shaped spring blooms are truly attractive. But the best is yet to come in autumn, when its foliage explodes in shades of red and orange, creating a superb effect alongside the Poplar and Elderberry. An Oakleaf Hydrangea (Hydrangea quercifolia) will provide the finishing touch, with its large leaves and deep red autumn colours, not to mention its generous summer flowering in panicles, sometimes huge depending on the variety.