Populus x candicans Aurora - Balm of Gilead

Populus x candicans 'Aurora' is a variety of North American Poplar whose young foliage is beautifully variegated. It forms a medium-sized tree with an upright habit, often kept smaller by drastic pruning that allows for the renewal of its juvenile foliage to fully enjoy its colours. Its oval and pointed leaves are a shiny green washed with cream white and rosy bronze. This fast-growing, robust and accommodating poplar adapts to all soils that remain moist.

Populus x candicans is also known as Populus x jackii, Populus x gileadensis, Populus manitobensis. It belongs to the family of Salicaceae. Native to eastern Canada and northeastern United States, it is adapted to moist to wet soils and develops a very spreading and extensive root system, with a tendency to sucker. For this reason, it should be planted far from buildings (at least 15 m). Populus x candicans is a natural hybrid of P. balsamifera and P. deltoides, two species also found in the wild in North America. The first parent is highly appreciated for the fragrance of its sticky leaf buds and new leaves, an attribute it has passed on to P. x candicans.

'Aurora' stands out for its highly ornamental variegated leaves and relatively modest size. It reaches a height of 15 m at maturity and a width of 6 m with rapid growth. It develops an open crown and an overall upright shape with a vertical trunk. Its large heart-shaped leaves often start the season solid green, but quickly change as the shoots elongate and are generously splashed with cream white and often tinged with soft pink. Flowering takes place in March-April. The inflorescences are pendulous catkins: the male catkins, without peduncles, are reddish-purple, while the female catkins hanging on a peduncle are greenish-yellow. After wind pollination, the female trees bear fruits grouped in chains, with the cottony seeds being dispersed by the wind.

Populus x candicans 'Aurora' appreciates a rich and moist to wet soil. It responds well to severe pruning in late winter, which enhances the beautiful colouring of its foliage. Although its dimensions are smaller than other poplars, its tendency to sucker means that it is best reserved for gardens where it can be planted away from the house and pipes. It is perfect, for example, along rivers or near ponds and large natural ponds. It could be associated with alder, willow, and ash which also appreciate the proximity to water. Planted closely together, this tree can also serve as a large windbreak.