Liriodendron tulipifera Edward Gursztyn - Tulip Tree

Liriodendron tulipifera 'Edward Gursztyn' is a very interesting variety of Tulip tree as it is well suited to small gardens. It forms a more or less spherical head, which, in addition to the height of the trunk (it is generally grafted at the top), limits its growth to 3.5 to 4m (11 to 13ft) in height. Its leaves have the same typical shape as the species, with slightly less cut lobes, and its tulip-shaped flowers, characteristic of the species, appear in May-June. Its globular crown takes on a beautiful yellow colour in autumn.

The Tulip tree belongs to the Magnoliaceae family. It is native to the Midwest of the United States. It can live up to 300 years in Europe. It is a giant in its native lands, where it can reach a height of 40m (131ft) at maturity. In our gardens, however, its adult size varies between 15 to 25m (49 to 82ft) in height, making it more of a park tree than a garden tree. There are a few noteworthy cultivars, with a fastigiate habit or variegated foliage, but 'Edward Gursztyn' is certainly the most interesting for gardeners who love the genus and are frustrated that they cannot plant the species in their too small garden!

This is a fairly recent Polish selection, discovered by Lucjan Gursztyn in 1996, from a witch's broom. This term refers to a plant "monstrosity" generated by a fungus, bacteria, virus, or other organisms (the exact origin is not yet known). Occasionally, a branch of a tree sees a proliferation of buds develop and grow, forming what may resemble a farmhouse broom. Fairly well-known in conifers, these deformations can produce aesthetically interesting cultivars, often with dense foliage and compact habit. 

'Edward Gursztyn' is an example of a witch's broom among deciduous trees with horticultural interest. Named in honour of the founder of the Gursztyn nursery in Branievo, this variety has the advantage of a compact habit, which could almost be described as dwarf compared to the proportions of the original species. It forms a globular head, which can reach a diameter of 2m (7ft) over time, usually supported by a trunk as it is generally grafted at the top. Depending on whether it is grafted as a half-standard or a standard, this small tree will measure between 3.5 to 4m (11 to 13ft) at maturity. The original mother plant measured 1.8m (6ft) in diameter after 15 years, which clearly illustrates the slow growth of this variety. Its leaves, measuring 10 to 12cm (4 to 5in), are deciduous and have 4 lobes that are less deeply cut than those of the botanical species. Green during the growing season, the foliage turns yellow in autumn, which is one of the attractions of this Tulip tree. Its other interest lies in its tulip-shaped flowers, characteristic of the species. The flowers are solitary, measure 6 to 8cm (2 to 3in), and appear in May-June. They are made up of yellow-green tepals (a term referring to petals and sepals that are morphologically not very distinct) with an orange blotch at the base. This compact variety is perfectly hardy, down to about -27°C (-16.6°F), which allows it to be planted almost anywhere, as long as the soil remains sufficiently moist in summer.

'Edward Gursztyn' makes the Tulip tree accessible to small gardens to the delight of enthusiasts of original trees, both for its foliage and the unique flowering. Those who appreciate rarities can associate it with Parrotiopsis jacquemontiana, a large shrub with flowers like no other, consisting of a central sphere of yellow stamens surrounded by white bracts, and with splendid autumn colours. In the foreground of a border, plant the astonishing Fothergilla gardenii, with its white spike-like flowers and stunning autumn colours. Another unjustly overlooked small tree that shares the same requirements as our little Tulip tree is Stewartia pseudocamellia, whose flowers resemble those of Camellias and whose foliage turns orange and red when the first cold weather arrives.